On January 20, 2013 I was getting ready to paint during Sunday morning worship at my church and the persecuted church was on my heart. I was following the story of a Christian pastor who was going on trial the next day in Iran for his faith. They were threatening to hang him. I decided to do a painting dedicated to the persecuted church.
As I began painting, the Lord showed me a vision of what to paint: a simple wooden cross that turned into a mighty golden sword cutting the shackles in half. The Word of God or Bible is known as the “sword of the Spirit”. When we back up our prayers with His Word, our prayers are much more effective. You shall know the truth and it will set you free. Jesus is also called the Word.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2 Corinthians 10: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
After it was finished, I named the painting Isaiah 61:1. It is the same scripture that Jesus read in the synagogue when he began his ministry announcing the fulfillment of that passage.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.
