Safeguarded Ascension reminds us that as each member of the body aligns with their role (e.g., leaders as loving and fearless shepherds/stewards, intercessors as faithful prayer warriors), everyone can move together in safeguarded unity. No toehold is given to the enemy, for love and harmony reign. As one, the body ascends the hill of the Lord together. 

  • Psalm 24:3-6 (VOICE) Who can possibly ascend the mountain of the Eternal? Who can stand before Him in sacred spaces? Only those whose hands have been washed and hearts made pure, men and women who are not given to lies or deception. The Eternal will stand close to them with blessing and mercy at hand, and the God who redeems will right what has been wrong. These are the people who chase after Him; [like Jacob, they look for the face of God]. [pause]
  • Isaiah 26:3-4 (VOICE) You will keep the peace, a perfect peace, for all who trust in You, for those who dedicate their hearts and minds to You. So trust in the Eternal One forever, for He is like a great Rock— strong, stable, trustworthy, and lasting.
  • James 5:16 (AMP) …The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

A Meditation of the Word called “Our Songs of Ascent” from Elisa Eaton of Waiting in the Wings is connected to this.

For many years, I was always curious when I came across the psalms known as the “Songs of Ascent” (Psalms 120-134). I wondered what this special title meant and the story that sets these psalms apart. Over time, I discovered that these psalms are also known as the “Pilgrim Songs.” Some scholars believe they were sung by worshippers as they ascended the road to Jerusalem to attend the three pilgrim feasts (Deuteronomy 16:16). Others believe that the songs were sung by Levitical priests as they ascended the steps of the Temple in Jerusalem. Another theory suggests they were written after the rebuilding of the Second Temple. Finally, there are scholars who think these songs were individual poems that were collected and given a title that would connect them to the Jewish pilgrimage after the Babylonian captivity.

As I have studied these psalms and even listened to them when they were put to song, something beautiful happened as I meditated on them—I began to see a picture of our spiritual pilgrimage. I had already done many studies of Scripture through a Hebraic lens; I was in awe of lengths that God has gone through to honor His promise to Abraham to bring his descendants back to the land of Israel—the land of promise. From the forefathers of the faith to the different generations in captivity, God would always create a road for them to return to the Promised Land and to Jerusalem, the very place of His throne. Ultimately, since the fall in Genesis 2, God has been creating a way for all of humanity to dwell in His Presence again.

Now, as much as the land of Israel is a physical land set apart by God, I couldn’t help but see in the Songs of Ascent that the process of return to the physical land required a spiritual ascent of the soul. Truly, this road echoes a higher call that we have in Christ. For our Kinsman Redeemer has freed us from the captivity of sin, making a way for us to “ascend the hill of the LORD” again. Our inner man is called to make the pilgrimage to the Jerusalem Above as we submit to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

To me, the Songs of Ascent are a reminder of what inspires our praise and worship. We worship God because He has made a way for us to dwell in His Presence again. We rejoice over His continual deliverance. We express our gratitude that He has chosen us and sanctified us as kings and priests in His eternal Kingdom. Praise and worship elevates the soul as we set our mind our higher things and our upward call in Christ.

1 Peter 2:4-5, 9 (NKJV) Coming to Him [as to] a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God [and] precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. … But you [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

This is a series of Prophetic Nuggets from “Daily Downloads from Heaven” by Meghan Williams that are connected by scripture / theme. It is a series of 15 Prophetic Nuggets based on “Songs of Ascent” (Psalms 120-134).

Step 1: Step Out and Call on Me

Psalm 120:1-2 (VOICE) When I was in deep trouble, I called out to the Eternal, and He answered my call. I prayed: “Protect me, Eternal, from lips that lie and tongues poisoned with deceit.”

Beloved, when trouble comes from every side, resist the urge to defend yourself. Instead call on Me, for I AM your defender and the place of your deliverance. I AM your strong tower – your refuge in the storm. Look to Me, for I AM your very present help in times of trouble. So rest in Me, YHVH Yeshua – the Lord your Salvation, for I AM the One who saves. So step out and call on Me, for I AM God.

Step 2: Step Into My Arms

Psalm 121:3 (VOICE) He holds you firmly in place; He will not let you fall. He who keeps you will never take His eyes off you and never drift off to sleep.

Beloved, step into My arms. I will not let you stumble, nor will I let you fall. Hold close to Me as I hold you firmly in My grip. You are protected – you are safe. You are with Me. I AM a fervent guard. I never slumber or sleep. I never lose sight of you. You are always in My gaze. you may make your rest in Me, for I ever remain vigilant. I AM that I AM, and you are Mine.

Step 3: Step Up and Pray

Psalm 122:6 (VOICE) Ask heaven to grant peace to Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper.

Beloved, as you pray, be intentional to pray beyond your own personal needs and desires. I AM well aware of the things that concern you – likely even more so than you are yourself. My desire is to see you choosing to look beyond yourself and your own sphere. Choose to align your heart with Mine. Step up and pray for the things on My heart – things you will know about as you take time to know Me. Seek My heart, and listen as I share it. Then allow what touches My heart to move yours as well, and respond to it with prayer.

Step 4: Step in Time with Me

Psalm 123:1-2 (VOICE) I raise my eyes to fix my gaze on You, for Your throne resides in the heavens. Just as the eyes of servants closely watch the hand of their masters, Just as a maid carefully observes the slightest gesture of her mistress, In the same way we look to You, Eternal One, waiting for our God to pour out His mercy upon us.

Beloved, step in time with Me. As a couple in a dance move together as one – where in close proximity one leads as the other follows seamlessly, so should we flow together as one. So stay close to My side, and allow My subtle leading to keep you in step with Me. Keep your eyes and heart fixed on Me, that when you step, you might step rightly. No matter what comes your way, refused to allow your attention to shift. Trust Me, trust My leading, and follow without hesitation.

Step 5: Stepping in Safety

Psalm 124:8 (VOICE) Our help has come in the name of the Eternal, the Maker of heaven and earth!

Beloved, as you walk, you are stepping in safety, for I AM God – creator of heaven and earth. I AM El Shaddai – the all-sufficient one, and El Elyon – the most high God. Who is there above Me? Whose power is greater? Whose arm is longer? Who sees all and knows all but Me? There is none above Me, and you belong to Me. I have accepted you as My very own. I AM your comfort and your help in times of trouble, and I AM eternally faithful. My love exceeds man’s ability to understand. So step safely as you walk with Me.

Step 6: Step into Steadfast Faith

Psalm 125:1 (VOICE) All who have faith in the Eternal stand as Mount Zion: unmoved, enduring, eternal.

Beloved, those who stand in Me, step into steadfast faith. For those who find their foundation in Me, stand as surely as the most solid bedrock.  Those who are truly rooted in Me, will not be moved or easily swayed, for they are indwelt by My Spirit and strengthen by My presence. Though the winds may batter and the waves may rock as the trials of life impede, still you will be steady and hold fast when you find your foundation in Me. So, beloved, be steadfast in your faith, and know that its source and foundation is One that never changes.

Step 7: Step Forward in Gratitude

Psalm 126:2-3 (VOICE) Our mouths were filled with laughter; our tongues were spilling over into song. The word went out across the prairies and deserts, across the hills, over the oceans wide, from nation to nation: “The Eternal has done remarkable things for them.” We shook our heads. All of us were stunned— the Eternal has done remarkable things for us. We were beyond happy, beyond joyful.

Beloved, regardless of what comes your way, step forward in gratitude. Remember all that I have done in your life, and stay in a place of perpetual thanksgiving. Dayenu (which means it is sufficient). What I have done – and if I never do more, is enough. Keep your eyes and heart filled with the blessings that come from Me. You are alive, for I have given you breath. You are loved, for I call you My own. For the many blessings I have given, without expectation of more even as you know more will come, give thanks to the One who has bestowed them. For I AM God alone.

Step 8: Step Forward at My Direction

Psalm 127:1 (VOICE) Unless the Eternal builds the house, those who labor to raise it will have worked for nothing. Unless the Eternal stands watch over the city, those who guard it have wasted their time.

Beloved, step forward at My direction, for without Me your progress is in vain. Be intentional to stay fully aligned with Me, and in cadence with My rhythm. For I declare the times and the seasons, and at My hand they come. So move with Me, My precious one, and I will lead you well. Great things are planned, and you play a part if you can move with Me. So listen well and hover close, and stay aligned with Me. Then when equipped I’ll move you on, and I will bring you strength. From glory to glory we move, and in victory we stand tall.

Step 9: Step Where I Lead

Psalm 128:1 (VOICE) Those who stand in awe of the Eternal— who follow wherever He leads, committed in their hearts— experience His blessings!

Beloved, resist the urge to make your own path, but rather trust, and step where I lead. For blessing lies the way of obedience, so choose to honor Me. May My Word lead you, My hand guide you, and My Spirit counsel you as you seek hard after Me. Be committed in your heart to a way of life and truth. For on My path is the place you’ll find the best I have for you. Choose humility, and yield control as you give all to Me. I’ll lead you well, My precious one, as you step where I lead.

Step 10: Step Securely

Psalm 129:4 (VOICE) The Eternal is just. He’s severed the bindings of the wicked so they can’t hurt me anymore.

Beloved, you are safe with Me, for with Me you step securely. I AM Elohim Mishpat – God of Justice, the righteous judge, so trust Me to bring true justice. For the heart of justice is making wrong things right. I advocate for the widows and orphans. I AM mindful of the lost and hurting. The humble know My name. I AM good, and I do good. For I AM a good Father, who leads you securely, so follow Me.

Step 11: Step Out in Hope

Psalm 130:2, 5 (VOICE) Lord, hear my cry! Attune Your ears to my humble prayer! So I wait for the Eternal—my soul awaits rescue — and I put my hope in His transforming word.

Beloved, step out in hope, for if you hope in Me and the power of My transforming Word – your hope is securely placed. I AM El Aman – the faithful God, and I AM steadfast and true. So look to Me in times of trouble – I will listen to your cry. And I will remain by you faithfully, in sweet times and in hard. Sustaining you and seeing you through as you persist in stepping out in hope.

Step 12: Step Forward Prepared

Psalm 131:2 (VOICE) Of one thing I am certain: my soul has become calm, quiet, and contented in You. Like a weaned child resting upon his mother, I am quiet. My soul is like this weaned child.

Beloved, a good parent prepares his child for what lies ahead, and I AM a good Father. So step forward prepared – knowing you are ready for whatever comes. For I AM with you always, and I walk beside you – and ever will I stay. So be calm, beloved. Rest, and be content. Quiet your soul, and trust in Me. For I will never leave you friendless, nor abandon you to grief. Stand fast and rest safely in My hands as you step forward prepared by Me.

Step 13: Step into Worship

Psalm 132:7 (VOICE) Let us journey to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool.

Beloved, make your dwelling place at the foot of My throne and step into worship. Allow My presence to overtake you, and in it find joy and strength. As My glory surrounds you, be refreshed and be amazed. For those who draw near to Me, they cannot help but feel My love. It permeates and overtakes – My love can make you whole. So step into worship, and find your place of praise. Make My presence your dwelling place, and be forever changed.

Step 14: Step Together

Psalm 133:1 (VOICE) How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in peace!

Beloved, step together in unity, and live together in peace. For harmony sings an eternal song that moves the hearts of men. So let your life resound with that joyous melody as you choose to live as one. May My precious children be known by their love, towards others but also towards themselves. For if you cannot extend grace to one who loves Me, what hope that you can cultivate a family to draw anyone into who doesn’t. So step together in peace and love, and let harmony reign.

Step 15: Step Up Higher

Psalm 134:1-3 (VOICE) Praise the Eternal, all you who serve Him— who stand ready to serve in the house of the Eternal through the night. Lift up your hands toward His sanctuary, and praise the Eternal. May the Eternal grant you His blessing from Zion, God, the weaver of heaven and earth.

Beloved, step up higher – I have more for you to see. I AM Gelah Raz – the revealer of mysteries, and Creator of heaven and earth. Come before Me with arms held wide and a hearing open heart that I might share more. I love to commune with My children as their hearts draw near to Me. In faith they come and by faith receive the fullness that is Me. I welcome them with open arms and I will give them rest. For those the step up higher, I love to give My best.

A prophetic download from Elisa Eaton is connected to this. It’s called “Consecrated to God.

Romans 12:1 (AMP) Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

{vision} I saw a woman waving her arms up and down in worship. Her eyes were closed, and I could sense she was fully enraptured and focused on God. I got the sense that as the motion of her arms was meant to symbolize the rising of incense, I could sense her soul ascending in some way and recognizing its oneness with God.

This vision came to me as I was meditating on the subject of aliyah, the immigration of the Jewish people in the diaspora to the Land of Israel. In Hebrew, “aliyah” means “ascent.” As I shared in my post, “Our Songs of Ascent,” my studies of Scripture through a Hebraic lens have given me a deep appreciation for God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants. And while I, along with many others in Christ, eagerly await the fulfillment of God’s promises to manifest in the earth, I always find there’s much to learn about our spiritual pilgrimage through events in the natural.

As my friend author Meghan Williams often says about the story of Scripture, “All along God has only wanted one thing: that He would be our God and we would be His people.” From Genesis to Revelation, we see the lengths that God has been going to in order to restore humanity to oneness with Him. He desires to make His dwelling place with us. Humankind sins, yet again and again, God makes a way to redeem us; He makes a path for us to return to Him.

Much like the Jewish people’s return to the Land of Israel, our spiritual return to God is an ascent. Through Christ and the path of holiness and righteousness, God lifts our lives out of the captivity of sin and into His marvelous light of freedom. Yet this ascent to the Jerusalem Above is a daily process, a walk that is paved with grace. Like the children of Israel in their cycles of captivity, our aliyah requires consecration. As Psalm 24:3-4 says: “Who can possibly ascend the mountain of the Eternal? Who can stand before Him in sacred spaces? Only those whose hands have been washed and hearts made pure, men and women who are not given to lies or deception (VOICE).”

What I sense from my vision of the worshipper about aliyah is our need to continually consecrate our lives to the Eternal. The worshipper symbolizes what it means to be a living sacrifice. We must close our eyes to the physical realm in order to realign with what is true—the fact that our lives are hidden in Christ and He now lives through us. Like the worshipper lifting up her arms, we willingly give our hands (our everyday actions) to the service of the King.

Many Jewish scholars share how keeping the commandments are meant to elevate the mundane activities of life and make them spiritual. When Israel sinned and was carried into captivity, their return back started with a return to the covenant of God. We too can see that, through our own repentance and redemption, we receive the Holy Spirit, and God writes His commandments upon our hearts. Our actions, great and small, suddenly become elevated as we are led by the Spirit. We become pleasing in the sight of God.

Yet, in order to be led by the Spirit, we must make room for the Spirit. There are always new areas where God desires to redeem us from captivity and cause us to return to Him. Therefore, we must clear our minds, turn our focus upon the King, and expand our hearts so that He can write more of His Word upon it. Much like the children of Israel before Mount Sinai and the followers of Christ before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, there is a call to consecrate and prepare ourselves to come up higher in the things of the Spirit. God desires to flip our perspective so that we come to see our everyday lives through heaven’s eyes.

Beloved of Christ, God desires enlarge your heart to receive more of His Kingdom. This paradigm shift will elevate the mundaneness of everyday life onto the level of the holy. For He has called you to be a king and a priest, to live a life that is set apart and pleasing to Him. Receive the fresh revelation the Spirit is pouring out. Allow Him to write His Word upon the tablets of your heart so that His ways become your ways, your hands become His hands, and your actions become His actions. Allow Him to flow through you, move you in a new way so that you act as one. Tarry and make room to receive more of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Exodus 19:10-11 (NKJV) Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Luke 24:49 (NKJV) “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Acts 2:1-2 (VOICE) When the holy day of Pentecost came 50 days after Passover, they were gathered together in one place.  Picture yourself among the disciples: A sound roars from the sky without warning, the roar of a violent wind, and the whole house where you are gathered reverberates with the sound.

Revelation 21:2-3 (NKJV) Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them [and be] their God.

A prophetic download from Meghan Williams of Dyed4you Ministries is connected to this. It’s called “Refuse to Fear the Darkness, Simply Be Light.”

Beloved, remember that you are a child of the Light, and darkness is powerless against the light. Darkness cannot say to light, “I refuse to go” or “I insist that I dim your blaze” because light trumps darkness. It’s not a fight for light to overtake darkness, but rather light expands simply because of the nature of what light is: light. So remember your identity as a child of the day – a child of light. Walk in the fullness of that power unafraid knowing that you are equipped simply by the nature of who you are and how you are made, so be light, beloved. Be light.

Matthew 5:14 (NLT) “You are the light of the world–like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

A journal entry shared by Jessica Smith of Jessica Smith Art is connected to this.

Below is a journal entry I wrote a few years ago after a great victory against demonic attack…

Darkness parts like the Red Sea before the name of Jesus. His name sung in praise is like a sword of piercing light that severs the darkness before us. The power of that name lays flat every principality that stands in our way.

I keep having this same vision of me singing the name of Jesus against the enemy of my soul. I’m standing in the midst of thick demonic darkness. It’s surrounding me, blocking my way, suffocating me, pressing me on every side… trying to destroy me. This darkness is the poison of fear, anxiety, demonic manifestation, spirits of witchcraft, and death. And in this vision, I stand against it with one weapon… the weapon of THE NAME OF JESUS.

As I stand there with that darkness surrounding me I sing the name of Jesus. I take my eyes off the enemy, off what he’s doing against my life, off the threats of death, off the scary faces of doom and gloom, and I put my eyes on JESUS, and I sing that name. Then the song “Tremble” comes out, and I sing that song in my own way. “Jesus, Jesus, you make the darkness tremble. Jesus, Jesus, you part the darkened sea. Jesus, Jesus, you make the darkness tremble. Jesus, Jesus, you come and rescue me.”

And as I sing, I see what happens as I sing… I see Jesus fight my battle. I see JESUS standing before me with lightning flashing from His wounded hands. Resurrection power destroying every demon and all the darkness that had been pressing in on me, tormenting me, it begins to tremble and shake until it completely disperses in terror of my God.

The “BATTLE AT HAND” card from D4Yart Deck 1 is connected to this. The card is based on the “More with Us” Dyed4you Art piece, and it reads, “Conflicts will always come and go, but when you are on the side of good, there is no reason to fear – for even if the outcome leaves a new fight on the horizon, know that there is purpose in the process, so continue looking for the good and press on. Trust that good prevails and remember that you have unseen forces fighting by your side and on your behalf.”

A portion of the word from our “Prayer Warrior” Dyed4you Art piece is connected to this.

For those who choose to stand as prayer warriors, He rests His authority on us as we raise our spiritual swords and fight along side Him. His angels rush to act upon our prayers. Fierce in our tenacity with His angelic forces on our side, we relentlessly declare His word – logos and rhema, written and spoken – and align with His heart bringing heaven to earth. Our prayers a sweet incense before His throne.

His people will know that He, God of Creation, is the All Seeing One. He is accomplishing His plans quickly. He shows us things that we don’t understand, but as we continue to pray, He reveals. Seek Him and wait patiently for His answer.  And as time passes, the different facets of revelation begin to unfold and more understanding comes forth. The enemy is exposed, thwarted, and his ability to counterfeit are impaired and ultimately eliminated. God’s will is being brought forth in the earth, in His Bride (corporately) and in our lives (individually).

Father, stir us up in our spirits as we battle beside You. As You say in James 5:16, “The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].” We will stand fast, praying in the authority You have given us. Unashamed and unafraid to walk in the fullness of the warfare we’ve been called to. “Your will be done, Your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.”

{artist note} Its always fun when God ties a new piece to a previous Dyed4you Art image by including one or more visual elements. So not only is this piece connected to the Prayer Warrior word, but through the use of the shields, is tied to our Frontline Warriors, which of course directly connects with the heart of intercession behind this piece. It’s not to say that intercessors have the most vital role in the Body of Christ, for every role is important and without any one we would feel loss. However, this piece does seek to honor the often unseen work of a relentless few who persistently and lovingly cover the many. Truly intercessors live 1 Peter 5:6, “…humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” Blessed be all my fellow warriors. 

It also should be noted that this piece was created as a commissioned piece based on a vision received by one such warrior. May we all receive many such visions!

Father, my we ascend as one. Each of us fully functioning in our roles as we support, cover, and minister to one another. All to Your glory.