Gold of Ophir
Ophir ~ A port or region mentioned in the Bible, famous for its wealth. King Solomon received a cargo from Ophir every three years (1 Kings 10: 11 & 22) which consisted of gold, silver, sandalwood, pearls, ivory, apes and peacocks. The famous gold of Ophir is also referenced in several other books of the Hebrew Bible.
I’m delighted and honoured to share a beautiful scripture revealed to me by the Holy Spirit. A few nights ago, in the midst of my midnight prayers and Quiet Time, I was sitting on my bed trying to connect with God. Perhaps therein lies my first mistake - I was trying to connect with God rather than letting go and believing that as soon as I put on some worship music and honoured the appointed time, the Holy Spirit was surely present and ready to speak to me. I’ve previously shared my epic struggle as far as reading the Bible in a structured way. Honestly, it just doesn’t work for me so I’ve accepted that I’m much more a free flowing scripture kinda gal. On that day in the early hours of the morning as I flipped through the Bible, I just wasn’t feeling it. We’ve all been there, those moments where try as you might, you just don’t seem to be connecting with the source. I could feel frustration slowly rising to the surface as I turned the pages one after another searching for something but not quite sure what. Finally I threw what can only be termed as a spiritual tantrum! Plonking my trusty pink NLT Bible down on the bed, I looked up to what I imagined in that moment to be the heavens (in actual reality my bedroom ceiling) and said, “God I just don’t know how to find you sometimes!”
I once heard an amazing woman of God Priscilla Shirer speak about hearing the voice of God. In the interview, she said that once you have connected with God and you know His voice, once you know how He speaks and you have experienced it, you are forever spoiled! Nothing else comes close to the feeling of knowing you are communing one-on-one with the Father, honestly it’s the most amazing experience in the world. Often times, it brings me to tears. So that day as I sighed in frustration, I suppose what my spirit was really saying was “Father, I am trying to plug into my source, I am trying to draw strength and refreshing from you - where are you?”
No sooner had the words left my lips than did I hear “Psalms” drop in my spirit. Now, I’ll be the first to admit I was already in a bit of a frazzled state by then. And seeing as I had just been flicking unsuccessfully through the book of Psalms on a wild goose chase for God-only-knows-what, I grumbled inwardly as I asked the Holy Spirit “Are you sure? I was just in the book of Psalms! “
Can you imagine? Asking God “Are you sure?” We’re all guilty of this, though I suppose in His infinite mercy God gives us leeway for questions even as He encourages us to dialogue with Him. Anyway, obedience is better than sacrifice so I dutifully reopened the bible. My eye drifted to Psalm 46, but I felt a pull towards Psalm 45, a passage I had never come across. As I read the word, I felt a stirring in my spirit as the Lord began to speak to me with crystal clarity.
Psalm 45
For the choir director : A love song to be sung to the tune “Lilies.” A psalm of the descendants of Korah.
“Beautiful words stir my heart. I will recite a lovely poem about the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skilful poet. You are the most handsome of all. Gracious words stream from your lips. God Himself has blessed you forever.
Put on your sword, O mighty warrior! You are so glorious, so majestic! In your majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice. Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds! Your arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts. The nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else. Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes. In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you. Kings’ daughters are among your noble women. At your right side stands the queen, wearing jewellery of finest gold from Ophir!
Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say. Forget your people and your family far away. For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honour him, for he is your lord. The princess of Tyre will shower you with gifts.
The wealthy will beg your favour. The bride, a princess, looks glorious in her golden gown. In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king, accompanied by her bridesmaids. What a joyful and enthusiastic procession as they enter the king’s palace! Your sons will become kings like their father. You will make them rulers over many lands. I will bring honour to your name in every generation. Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.”
In that moment, I understood. I felt the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit and I understood that He was speaking to me loud and clear, in a way He knew I wouldn’t miss it. I felt an ugly cry come on as I began to weep uncontrollably. It is a very humbling experience when the Father comes through for you in the way that only He can. As I slowly collected myself, I realised I was listening to the beautiful worship sounds of Jireh by Elevation Worship & Maverick City and right in that moment, the highly anointed Naomi Rayne was singing the tune of Lilies. “If He dresses the lilies, with beauty and splendour. How much more will He clothe you?” I glanced at the title of the Psalm again “A song to be sung to the tune of Lilies” and I knew as I knew my name that I serve the one true living God, that I am a daughter of the Most High. As I wound up my Quiet Time just before going to sleep, I thanked God for being ever present in my life. I thanked the Holy Spirit for being my comforter, my guide, my teacher, a light unto my path even in times when my spirit and my soul were searching for that which I knew not. I thanked Him for reaffirming His promises to me. I vowed to hold on to His word, despite what it looks like. I felt my faith renewed and I chose to believe God, the Father who watches over His word to see that it is performed. That night I slept like a baby.
God speaks to us in different ways. Often times, using the very same phrases with which we speak to Him. This is why it’s important to recognise your own signature ways of communicating with the Father, for when He speaks to you, it is impossible to miss it. One of the everlasting frustrations many women seem to grapple with is how to hear the voice of God with clarity. Yet our Father is always and forever speaking to us. I’m considering doing a series on activating and hearing the voice of God, to bring us all to a place where we can enjoy the beautiful communion and relationship into which God is inviting His beautiful daughters.
Be encouraged today dear sisters. We are noble women in the order of Proverbs 31, more precious than rubies, worth far more than jewels. We are queens in the order of Psalm 45, draped in the rarest of gold from Ophir, dripping in the Father’s love and shining like a city atop a hill. We are walking in the Esther anointing, fierce warriors like Deborah, women with the call of God upon our lives and He will meet us at our point of need.
Stay blessed!