(May 26, 2023) Angeline Selvakumari encourages us to discover God’s dawn light…

Great is God’s faithfulness!

He has led us thus far and will continue to carry us through! Psalm 46:5 is one of His great promises of protection – ‘God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.’

This scripture refers to ‘the city of God’ (v4). In Matthew 5:14, our Saviour, Jesus, referred to His followers as an important city: ‘You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.’ 

As such in these troubled times we need our faithful God’s protection! And we can relate to Psalm 46:2 which depicts why the verse five promise is so significant. It’s our assurance of God’s faithfulness, to be grasped in dark times that cause fear… even when if the –

• Earth moved,
• Mountains are carried into the midst of the sea,
• Waters are troubled and roar and
• Mountains shake!

When everything is moving, shaking and we are very troubled, the Bible confirms that our God is there for us! Even if everything around us ‘moves’ we will not. God is in the midst of every storm and will help us at the break of dawn.

Our God is a good God! Whatever He does is good! He’s the God of impossibilities, the God of the new dawn.

Whatever you’ve been struggling with, fighting with – prayers that are yet to be answered, things that have kept you in bondage, circumstances that have limited you – they will be broken in Jesus’ name. God will help us at the break of dawn (Psalm 46:5).

Significance of God’s break of dawn
It is the season of –

1. Transition
It’s a new beginning! Dawn crashes the darkness of night and breaks into light opening a brand-new day, a brand-new season.

Actually, break of dawn –  the period of transition between night and day – moves us from one season to another, the season of God’s light!

Such transitioning can be one of uncertainty, where one is unsure of taking the next step. Should one go this way or the other? It can be a period of chaos and confusion when one is struggling to make a decision. It also symbolises a period of fear –  fear of what is happening and going to happen.

And this is how the world and the devil would like you to see this time –  as one of chaos, confusion, confrontation, and uncertainty.But God wants us to know it is the period of breakthrough. We must see it as a breakthrough season, where we come through whatever troubles us.

2. Warfare
Breakthrough is not easy. Breaking through and coming out is war, a struggle against the devil and self! You are breaking from the darkness and it doesn’t happen effortlessly! Yet God is currently trusting us to enter a season of breaking through many matters. He has placed us to achieve breakthroughs for ourselves, our children, family, church, city, nation, the world! It is a season of spiritual breakthrough!

As a church, a family, and individuals, in moving to the next level we will have a new season of growth, maturity. The ‘break of dawn’ is a time of breaking the darkness!

We will see things that are dark and impossible are not the end, but the very means of our breakthrough!

Remember Elijah? He was physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally exhausted in one of the darkest moments of his life. Just after his supernatural victorious ministry over those Baal priests, he had heard evil Queen Jezebel had vowed to kill him. He was so scared for his life, that he couldn’t think straight, even cried, ‘It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life… !’ (1 Kings 19:4NKJV).

The prophet felt it was over, darkness everywhere; little did he realise he was in a period of transition. In between,seeing only darkness, not the dawn. But God had placed Elijah to break the darkness. And this year God is positioning some of us in the period of transition so that we can break the darkness and in bring the light.

3) Breakthrough!
Micah 2:13 encourages: ‘The One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out… the Lord at their head.’ 

Whatever has held you, kept you in darkness, made you crumble, limited you, God will strengthen you and you will come out of it. In Jesus’ name, ‘you will come out of it’ because He is walking in front of you. As the famous Chris Tomlin song says,

‘I know who goes before me,
I know who goes behind
The God of angel armies is always by my side…
(Bridge) Nothing formed against me shall stand.’

This year God will give us breakthroughs from darkness so that we can enter into light victoriously. 

Breakthrough from what?
What does darkness symbolise?

(a) Evil Dominion
Darkness is anything that is diabolic, symbolising the devil, that prince of darkness. Darkness is a dominion… Colossians 1:13 says, ‘For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.’

(i) Dominion
This can even be someone (including leaders) that dominates. For example, you may feel there is someone in your life who dictates the last word or presses the final button. You must ‘No’ say to the situation! Break of dawn is breaking any dominion of darkness. 

(ii) Darkness
This can also mean anything that is sinful that dominates, oppresses, takes control over us. Maybe you’re struggling with a habit that has a hold on you, and want to come out of it… but you’re struggling. Know that you’re not alone; even some so-called mature Christians are struggling from some hold of sin.

With the advance in technology, everyone has access to the internet in their palm. Guess what! This has opened lots of doors to sin, that we couldn’t even imagine before. Addiction to social media, spending time on certain channels, dubious YouTube trailers, pornography (sadly even children are addicted here!).

The prince of darkness has taken control over our time, thoughts, and emotions! Many have been tricked by evil inputs, not knowing this darkness is destroying our peace, family relationships, relationship with God, and above all corrupting our hearts, mind, and soul. Sadly it is having an impact on the next generation. Every action of ours impacts children.

May God enable us to have a breakthrough from whatever that is dominating our lives, families, churches, ministry or walk with God. And He will!

(b) Deep ignorance  
Ephesians 4:18 says, ‘They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.’

Ignorance is a disadvantage to God’s kingdom as being ignorant deceives the mind. Satan wants us to be clueless. So deceitful, he thrives on our ignorance!

2 Corinthians 4:4NLT says, ‘Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the good news.’

(c) ‘Blinded minds’   
Sometimes we read the Bible but don’t really understand. Even some who call themselves ‘Good Christians’ still haven’t been able to discover that in-depth experience of God’s light. Why allow darkness to prevail when you can ask God to give you a breakthrough from your ignorance?  Ask Him for wisdom… and find He gives generously (James 1:5).

Technology has given us the Bible in our hands; with the internet we have ready access to many versions anytime. But… we have started to rely more and more on the online Bible and though we have scriptures ‘on hand’, we don’t have them in our hearts and minds!

In the past, people were able to quote biblical references by searching their Bible, but now they are asking ‘Reverend Google’!

My concern is that a day will come when all the online versions will cease to exist. What will happen to us then when online versions are banned and we won’t have the ‘internet word of God’?

Let’s read our Bible now with passion, memorise God’s word and meditate it day and night so that it is written on our hearts.

Breakthrough to what?
Light! God’s light of…

(a) Understanding
God’s light brings things into perspective.1 John 1:5 declares ‘God is light; in Him, there is no darkness at all.’ When there is God’s light there is energy – we get spiritual understanding and energy from that divine light, illuminating our mind and helping us to see clearly. It sets us free and gives the right perspective on things.

Light also gives revelation, especially of the truth of God’s word. No wonder the psalmist urged ‘Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell’ (Psalm 43:3). 

If there is no light, there is no truth, no break of dawn!  We must go to the mountain (God’s presence) in prayer, fellowship, meditating on His word, seeking the Holy Spirit… otherwise we will remain in spiritual darkness!

(b) Transformation       
Break of dawn means transformation, available in Jesus. One flash of light changed Saul to Paul. Light is the gospel – ‘For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of glory of God…’ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Light is also the glory of God, shining, transforming. As it did with Saul, God’s glorious light can transform anyone!

This Sunday we’ll be celebrating Pentecost and the infilling of the supernational fire of the Holy Spirit… it was an on-fire transformed Paul who declared, ‘And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit’ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Why do we preach the gospel in churches? Its unfolding brings light! It is not mere information nor head knowledge. It transforms us! Break of dawn is becoming like Christ. Let’s be truly transformed.

Claim your break of dawn today!
As I mentioned above, great is God’s faithfulness! He has led us thus far and will continue to carry us through!

Let’s have our break of dawn with its great power, and powerful truth!

Our new covenant is based on the break of dawn. Jesus broke death when He came out of the grave at the break of dawn. The story of our new resurrection life happens at our break of dawn experience. Every promise of God is yes and amen at the break of dawn! ‘… if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith’ (1 Corinthians 15:14).

We’re in a season where so much is restrained, captivated with elements of darkness – but this is the year of break of dawn! I believe there is going to be a big move, a big shift. At the break of dawn, something begins… a new chapter, new season of breakthrough – individually, as a family, a church, a nation. Something is going to break as we take God’s mountain top!

But we need to be broken. Just like the mother hen sits and incubates at the right season, at the correct temperature the egg cracks and life comes out.  At this spiritual break of dawn, there is life and light. Once it breaks, a new opening, new season of light will come through.

Let there be a spiritual breakthrough for all of us.

God will help us at our break of dawn, He is in the centre and you will not be moved!

With that confidence, let us march forward!

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Pastor Angeline Selvakumari is Chief Editor Echo of His Call, India’s Spiritual Newspaper, and Dr S Sam Selva Raj’s daughter. In furthering Echo of His Call ministries, established 1969, Dr Sam is daily broadcasting 5-minute messages in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telgu, on YouTube, trusting the Lord to provide for the costs. Link: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
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