Holding Land
Dear Invictus friends, partners and followers,
What an incredible summer it has been.
And though it isn’t over yet, the air is already shifting. The evenings are drawing in earlier, and the mornings now carry that crisp, cool scent of autumn. Much has changed during this beautiful season, and we must be ready for what comes next. Far too soon, as far as I’m concerned—but the wheel turns, and we must turn with it.
More and more, I see our prophetic assignment as one of holding land.
Recently, the Lord impressed upon me a sobering thought: If those of us called to “hold land” or “hold space” spiritually do not continue to take this assignment seriously, we risk slipping into a kind of “Wild West” environment within our already challenged prophetic movement.
By that, I mean an increase in inter-ministry and interpersonal competition. We are seeing people with genuine calls from God competing for dominance in an area where we are actually called to be servants of all—to think more highly of the next person than of ourselves. We are drifting toward a place where fulfilling “my destiny” has become more important than the gospel of Jesus Christ as laid out for us through His death, burial, and resurrection.
What do I mean by holding land?
This is language familiar to prophetic and charismatic streams, but its roots run deep in the Old Testament. In Numbers 33:53, the Lord instructs Moses regarding the crossing of the Jordan into Canaan: “You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.” We see the same mandate given to Joshua in chapter 1: every place he set his foot was given to him as his territory.
When we spiritualize this concept for our world, it means we become responsible for the land God has entrusted to us. The Land is a picture of God’s promises—a place where peace is established within our borders as long as we continue in obedience to His ways. It is a place of rest, but also of abundance: the goodness of the Lord, His provision, not only practically but emotionally and spiritually.
Our job is to drive out the giants and hold the ground.
We are called to keep it clean, clear, and dedicated to God through our obedience and the stability He establishes in us. This means laying down personal agendas and the human desire to be “top dog.” We serve one another so that none of the habits and ways of God’s enemies can take root.
Competition is one of those enemies. We are in danger of giving it free rein within the prophetic movement if we do not hold the land God has given us—and if we refuse to serve others who are called in the same manner but are struggling.
This is not a time to pounce on weakness.
It is not a season to spot vulnerability and think, “Ah, this is my chance… if I play my cards right, I can benefit from their misfortune.” No. It is time to begin to pray for other ministries and provide intercessory help. It is time to serve those who are holding on for dear life. It is time to help others guard what God has given them, to love them in the midst of turmoil and transition.
There will be pressure as you choose to do things God’s way. There will be questions. “Why are you holding that land? The season is over; new things are around the corner.”
Yes, there are new things around the corner—but they will be given into the hands of those who have proven themselves trustworthy. They will be given to those who understand the ways of the Lord, which are not at all self-centered. We hold the land until God gives specific direction. And right now, I believe His direction is to stand shoulder to shoulder with others, not to become land-grabbers as the people of the world have been historically.
Beware the spirit of the Wild West.
Believe me, those who walk in the “spirit of the Wild West” are lurking around, not unlike the little foxes we read about in the Song of Songs. Do not be tempted. Do not be lured by their lies. They have nothing more than destruction in their hearts, and they are after your promise, your harvest.
Instead, look around. Humble yourself. See who God would have you stand with, who He would have you serve. Do it with no expectations—simply because it is the way of love. We are to be about our Father’s Business. All of the time. And His business is Kingdom Business, nothing more and nothing less.
The Reward of Holding Ground
What a joy it is to walk in this way and to reap the true benefits of holding land for ourselves and for other ministries.
You will grow in Godly authority and influence. It may not be public or obvious to everyone, but spiritually you will be living in such a productive environment where God alone gets the credit.
The “I” will fade. There will be no more talk of “I prayed or prophesied and this happened.” You will experience the grace of God in a measure unknown to you. It has most likely always been there, but your eyes will be opened to an awareness of how it works in your life.
You will experience freedom. Freedom to forgive and extend grace where it has been a struggle. Freedom from comparison and competition as you understand that you are holding ground for generations that will follow.
Generations that you will not see will be enabled to walk into their inheritance. Your choices in this unique time will have established a world of possibility for them and enable them to fight the battles that will most assuredly be theirs!
A Call to Stand
So let me encourage you to take this seriously. As you head into autumn, get over your personal and cultural preferences. Choose to stand together with others who have faithfully held ground. I believe this assignment holds more importance in this season than we understand. God is using it to remove unfaithfulness from the hearts of His prophets. His longing is to establish us in a greater commitment to faithfulness towards Him and towards each other.
The wildness we are called to in Him is expressed perfectly through this calling to hold land—and our willingness to say no to, and not engage with, anything that promotes a “Wild West atmosphere”, where territorialism and the willingness to do whatever it takes to gain something for ourselves at the expense of others is the rule of law!
Join me as we make wise choices in Him in the coming days.
Love to you all,
Rebecca