This is a prophetic word the Lord gave to prepare me for facing a storm that was coming. Learning to “Batten Down the Hatches” and to “Undergird” will help you not only survive during the storm but save others along the way.
Have you ever noticed you can sometimes smell a storm coming? This is very true for summers in the south. A shift in the atmosphere causes a change in the oxygen around us leading to the undeniable sweet smell of summer rain. Other times storms are not so predictable. Life storms have a way of sneaking up on those who are not on the lookout.
Staying close to the sound of the One who controls the winds and the waves will give you insight when life storms are approaching.
A Prophetic Word for Those Who Are Facing a Storm: Batten Down the Hatches and Undergird
I shared with you earlier about when the Lord woke me during the night with a thundering voice that said Repair the Rifts and Mend the Breaches. That was a call to restore the things that were broken. This word came a few weeks later, but I consider it to be part two of the message from the Lord. I was sitting at my computer typing out the first word that the Lord had given me when He spoke the second time. It was not loud and thundering but more like someone leaning over my shoulder and whispering in my ear.
Batten Down the Hatches
My first reaction when I hear the Lord speak using a phrase I am not familiar with is to look it up. I knew enough to realize this was another nautical phrase the Lord was using. What did it actually mean to batten down the hatches?
What is a hatch?
A hatch is an opening on a ship usually giving access to the cargo hold. Therefore a hatch is kind of like a door, window, or gateway that leads to ones source of provision, or something precious and valuable. It is a point of entry to whatever has been entrusted to you to carry and deliver.
The first step in securing a hatch was a covering. On a ship that was facing a storm, some sort of plastic, canvas, or other material would be placed over the entrance to the hatch.
What is a Batten?
A batten is a strip of wood that sailors would place on the edges of whatever material they were covering up their hatch with. They would nail this strip down to keep the covering in place, Sort of securing or sealing up the cracks, if you will.
There was an author by the name of John Badcock who used this phrase in the early 1800s. I love what he wrote about some sailor at sea.
“The severity of the climate having compelled them to batten down and caulk their abiding place” (Source)
A batten could also be used to shore up a sail. By making sure the ships sail was secure with no gaps, sailors could know they would not get off course.
Another interesting thing that I found was that the term batten is believed to have come from the word baton. A baton was a piece of wood or stick that was used as a weapon. (Source)
Batten Down the Hatches
If you are like me, you are already “geeking” out over this. I absolutely love it when God talks this way and sends me on a journey of discovery. As I read up and pray, it is like solving a mystery!. This is one of those timeless words from the Lord. It had a specific meaning when I received it the first time. However, as I am sharing it with you years later, the Lord is still speaking to me about current situations.
The excitement of the hunt seems fan up the flames inside me to prepare for whatever is headed my way.
So the term “Batten Down the Hatches” was most often used to indicate to prepare for trouble. There may be rough seas ahead so batten down the hatches. Something big is headed your way, so batten down the hatches.
Undergird
Several days after the Lord told me to Batten Down the Hatches, he whispered “Undergird”.
To undergird a ship means to support it from underneath. This was often done again with strips pf wood fastened to the bottom of the ship to give its underbelly strength. Ropes and chains we sometime often used for the same result.
I was being called to pray for and intercede on behalf of someone in ministry. Battening down the hatches necessary because some time later in the future this one would turn against me. I certainly did not know it at the time, but if my hatches had not been battened down, my wounds would have been greater and I would have suffered much damage.
This is a word of advancement not fear!
Please do not read this and think, oh no! Trouble is headed my way! We know trouble is around, but we also know that we have no reason to fear it!
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 15:33(NKJV)
This first thing you need to ask is where is your ship headed and what is it carrying?
Maybe the Lord is calling you like Timothy to stand up against the culture. It could be that you are about to be advanced into a new level or ministry. Maybe you are being asked to intercede on someone else’s behalf. Anytime we stand in the gap or pioneer ahead of the crowd to prepare the way, there will be obstacles we will face.
Battening Down the Hatches is like putting on the Armor of God. We do it so that in the midst of whatever battle we are engaging in we can stand! Are there gaps in the gateways of your life? What about your home, marriage, thought life, habits, and children? Is everything covered? Have you caulked your abiding place?
If your prayer is “Lord, work through me to bring Your Kingdom”, then you need to batten down. Pray and ask the Lord to show you the cracks. Are there breaches that need mending, sins to be confessed, forgiveness to be given, or truths to declare?
The Cross is our Batten
The blood of Jesus is our covering. The cross of Jesus is our wooden weapon that nailed our covering into place. Protect the Word of the Lord that dwells in you! Claim the blood of Jesus as a covering over the vulnerable areas of your life. Visually see the promises of God being nailed into place to keep you secure on the journey ahead.
Undergird yourself with the Word of the Lord.
Make sure your household and children are undergirded by speaking God’s Word over them but also to them. Find some friends who will support you on your journey. Friends who believe in what God has called you to do and will support you. You need the strength of a three strand rope under your ship. These will be ones who will support you, intercede for your mission, cover you with prayer, encourage you and cheer you on.
On a personal note
As I have recalled this word from the Lord for you, it has become fresh to me all over again. I am on a new journey! The Lord has placed in me a fire to see captives set free, specifically families. If parents are free their children can be free. There is an intense call in me to see generations rising up who love the Lord with all their hearts, minds, and strength.
I have been battening down the hatches for a while and will continue to do so as the Lord reveals weaknesses to me or areas where restoration needs to take place.
Today, will consider asking the Lord if this ministry is something that He may be calling you to undergird.
All I know is that I can’t do it on my own. We are thankful for all His provision and promise to be good ground. If you choose to do so, we promise, that the resources you sow will also be covered, battened, and used for His glory.
I trust the Lord for 37! David had 37 mighty men that supported and undergirded him on his journey.
I am looking for 37 families to support this ministry on a monthly basis. Are you one of those? If so there is a link below.
If not, could I ask you to undergird us with prayer that we will hear clearly from the Lord, speak His Word with truth and power,and help families across the world live for Him.
We promise to be praying for your as well. If you have a specific prayer request, I would love to hear it!
Thanks for sharing your family and time with us!
Madaline
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