California Will Rise up out of the Ashes

by Melissa Nordell

       As you must know, California is experiencing apocalyptic fires currently throughout the southern part of the State, with historical devastation and several deaths; however, I hear God saying that California is going to rise out of the ashes in an amazing way as only God can do.

       Just as some Redwoods in California’s National Parks, iconic symbols of California, have large seed pods that can only sprout when there are high temperatures brought about by forest fires, God’s seeds of revival have been sprouted as well, as only adversity can. Some Redwood trees also have another unique ability to regenerate after a fire through new sprouts at a tree’s base or buds that grow inside the trunk and sprout high, closer to the tree’s crown (closer to heaven). Giant Sequioa trees’ scientific name is “sempervirens,” which means ever-flourishing. However, in the spiritual we must water those seeds of revival that sprout and the buds that grow at the base or crown with intercession.

       For the Lord says, “Don’t look at the natural, but look to the spiritual. Is anything too hard for Me? Yes, many in California seem to not recognize Me; but there are so many of my righteous, faithful ones who have warred, prayed, interceded, worshipped Me in the Spirit of Holiness, cried out, and honored Me. Do you think that I have not heard them? I have Grace, love and concern for all of California.”

So let us not give up on this State that has been the birthplace of many revivals. Just watch what God can do when His people intercede. I am so encouraged that Christians everywhere are interceding for California due to this awful disaster that is beyond words. This is what California needs. This is what will turn California around and bring revival. As some of the wells (reservoirs) have been dry or under repair in the area in the natural, we can re-dig the wells of previous revivals through prayer and declaration. This is what God will do if we agree and declare it for California:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
    and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations. (Is 61:1-4 NIV)

       As in this scripture, it is HE that does the restoration, it is HE that does the work. It is HE that bestows the crown of beauty in place of ashes and sprouts the seeds of revival, even when it looks impossible – but we must be interceding for it.

      I had visions of a horribly hot fire, billowing up with tornadic wind and heavy smoke. However, out of the very center of the fire and ashes rose a mighty, gold archangel who was God’s mighty angel to bring Restoration, Revival, Reformation and Restitution – God’s “4 R’s.”

       As this golden angel arose, it was a symbol of God’s golden Shekinah Glory returning to California as many revivals started here. The State of California was enacted with the Gold Rush of 1849 – but God says that this will be His Gold, His Shekinah Glory returning in a new and mighty way…if we pray.