Batten Down The Hatches

10-21-2024 

Upon waking this morning, I heard the Lord whisper “Batten down the hatches” as He reminded me of a specific journal entry I wrote towards the beginning of this year. I feel led to share it with you now. 

I hear the Lord say, “It’s time to batten down the hatches.” 

It’s time to prepare for pending trouble. The Navy used the phrase first during the 19th century, as the crew was instructed by the captain of the ship to batten down the hatches when they entered rough seas. The crew would close all the hatches (doors), with canvas using battens (wooden rods) to secure the hatches in the closed position so that the waters couldn’t sink the ship. 

There is a storm coming…and it’s time to batten down the hatches…. It’s time to get prepared. 

The trouble you are encountering today is just beginning. Yes, you’re going THROUGH a storm, but you have to go through RAIN to get to the beautiful RAINBOW. Your RAINBOW is coming. My Promise is coming to you because  My Word will not return void. 

There is a reason for the storm. God is allowing it on purpose to bring you to YOUR PURPOSE. Your testimony will show the POWER OF GOD and how HE moved in your life to bring PEACE. You were created to be a sign and a wonder. You were created to be a sign of the faithfulness of God. You were created for such a time as this. 

The Lord will not let you down. No matter how bad it looks, nothing ever takes the Lord by surprise. You MAY NOT be as prepared for the challenges as you would like, but… The best PREPARATION comes from creating a LASTING AND DURABLE relationship with the Lord. Our relationship with the Lord prepares us for any storm. Any adversity. Any trial. He comes in and speaks peace and the winds obey. 

We can see when a storm is coming. It really doesn’t just sneak up on us from out of nowhere. We can see the changes in the sky. The rain begins. The sky darkens. The thunder is heard off in the distance and you can see the lightning flash across the sky. There are signs that we need to prepare. 

Do you see the signs that it’s time to prepare? 

Do you hear the thunder? 

Do you see the lightning? 

Do you feel the shaking of the boat? 

The Lord is our ANCHOR and our LIGHTHOUSE through the storm. He provides light even in the darkest of night, so that what is hidden is brought into complete focus removing all the scales from our eyes so we can see clearly. He brings us wisdom, knowledge, and revelation. He is TRUTH. He is our Hope. He is our Defender. 

Storms show us who we are IN CHRIST. We are a part of His family. We are joint heirs. We are connected. We have the same spiritual DNA. We have the same genetic makeup. Losing is impossible, because we will always be victorious because of Jesus. He wins every time which means we win too. He is our Victory. 

I cannot break down. 

I cannot drown.  

The storm cannot stop me. 

Lord, I will cling to you all my days.

No matter what storm comes my way. I know THE WAY.

JESUS is the WAY, the truth and the life. So there are unshakeable truths in the word of God that cancel out all of my insecurities and past failures. We are loved and treasured by the Lord. We are co-heirs with Christ, and we are the offspring of God. 

There is a storm coming and it’s time to get prepared. When we understand our identity in Christ, we see the storm as He sees it. We know it’s coming; but we don’t worry or fear, because we know the PEACESPEAKER. We know He will calm the storm. 

It’s time to begin to act. In the South we have a phrase, “I’m FIXING TO” which means I’m about to begin something. I am preparing. We are always “fixin to” do something. We can’t wait until we’re in the middle of the storm to batten down the hatches. It’s too late at that point. We have to act BEFORE the storm arrives. The time has come to act. To prepare. To make ourselves ready. 

Are you a God chaser? 

Do you chase after HIS PRESENCE?

OR 

Are you a storm chaser? 

Do you chase after THE DRAMA?

“Playtime is over. We are in rough waters, and it’s time to come up higher. We have to man our own position” says the Spirit of the LORD. The Lord is releasing clear and direct instructions with specific assignments for the times. The Lord is calling us to sacrifice whatever is necessary to pursue a personal and intimate relationship with Him. He’s asking us to leave the distractions of the world behind to reach for the higher things of God. We are being called to live apart from our flesh, beyond our five senses. We are being called to step out of the boat to walk on water and allow the Lord to do things in us that defy human logic!

Step into the Glory realm. 

The realm of miracles and wonder. 

We were created to walk in His glory. 

We were created to be seated in heavenly places.

We were created to bring heaven to earth….

It’s time to batten down the hatches. 

Mat 14:24-33 AMP

24 But the boat [by this time] was already a long distance from land, tossed and battered by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately He spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I! Do not be afraid!”

28 Peter replied to Him, “Lord, if it is [really] You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 He said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw [the effects of] the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped Him [with awe-inspired reverence], saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

Blessings! 

Stacey Bryan