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One of the Keys to Overcoming Adversity: Follow God

Part 2 of the Seek A Deeper Walk Series

One of the Keys to Overcoming Adversity: Follow God

1) Ezekiel 44:10 - 18 NKJV

10 "And the Levites who went far from Me, when Israel went astray, who strayed away from Me after their idols, they shall bear their iniquity. 11 Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary, as gatekeepers of the house and ministers of the house; they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister to them. 12 Because they ministered to them before their idols and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore I have raised My hand in an oath against them," says the Lord God, "that they shall bear their iniquity. 13 And they shall not come near Me to minister to Me as priest, nor come near any of My holy things, nor into the Most Holy Place; but they shall bear their shame and their abominations which they have committed. 14 Nevertheless I will make them keep charge of the temple, for all its work, and for all that has to be done in it.

15 "But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood," says the Lord God. 16 "They shall enter My sanctuary, and they shall come near My table to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge. 17 And it shall be, whenever they enter the gates of the inner court, that they shall put on linen garments; no wool shall come upon them while they minister within the gates of the inner court or within the house. 18 They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen trousers on their bodies; they shall not clothe themselves with anything that causes sweat.

a. Can someone who went astray from God still be used in the ministry?

b. How did the people of God go astray from Him in the time of Zadok?

c. Is there a mindset today that leads people to do the work of the ministry but not come and minister to God?

d. What was the ministry of the sons of Zadok? Who are sons of Zadok today?

e. What does it mean to offer the fat and the blood to God?

f. What is the difference between God's sanctuary and the rest of the temple? What does that mean for us?

g. Why were the sons of Zadok told not to wear wool in God's house? Why is that significant for us?

2) The Calling of the Sons of Zadok

MorningStar Prophetic Bulletin #70 by Rick Joyner

America is suffering under a vacuum of leadership. This is not just in government but also in virtually every major center of influence, including the church. Again, our problems are not just economic problems-they are character problems. The economy is just a reflection of the sickness of heart we now have. We do need to evaluate what is being done and what the consequences will be if we do not change our course, but we also need to evaluate why we have been doing them.

In Ezekiel 44, the Lord said that the sons of Zadok would be the ones honored with coming near to Him and ministering to Him personally. Zadok was the high priest during David's reign. When all of Israel went astray and followed after Absalom, Zadok picked up the ark and followed David even though it seemed that this would be certain doom. Zadok did not do what was politically expedient, but he did what was right. He knew that the Lord had anointed David as king and that He had not anointed Absalom. David was still the king, even though "all Israel" did not see it that way. The crowd paid a dear price, but Zadok's reward would last forever. To this day, his sons are those whom are closest to the Lord.

a. Why does Rick Joyner say that America's primary problems have less to do with economics than with character?

b. How come it is important to evaluate "why" we have been doing something?

c. Absalom rebelled because of David's adultery and murder. Why was this rebellion wrong?

d. Zadok followed the anointed one. Why is that important?

e. How do we become sons and daughters of Zadok?

3) John 6:53 - 69

53 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven-not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever."

59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" 61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father."

66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

a. Jesus was telling His disciples that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life. What was Jesus alluding to by saying this?

b. Why did Jesus tell His disciples something this difficult to accept and understand and that would likely create division?

c. Did the 12 apostles understand? If not, why didn't they leave Jesus, too?