Seeing Obstacles through God's Eyes
Jericho was the first city that the Israelites needed to conquer in their quest for the land of Canaan. When Joshua sent a pair of spies to check it out, he probably didn't realize that he would receive a glimpse of God's impressive behind-the-scenes activity.
God wants us to look at every obstacle through the lens of His unlimited strength and resources. Anything that appears to block His plans is an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His sovereign power. Just because we don't see anything happening, that doesn't mean He's inactive.
Always remember that God is at work on the other side of our obstacles, arranging the details and bringing His plans to fruition. When the spies returned to Joshua, they reported that the people of Jericho were scared to death. Having heard about the Jews' deliverance from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, they were gripped by fear of the Lord.
The stage was set for the conquest, yet by that point, Joshua had done nothing. Sometimes we think we need to be involved in the solution to our problem, but God is not limited with regard to whom or what He can use to accomplish His will. In this case, He worked in the hearts of the enemy by instilling demoralizing fear.
For Christians, great obstacles need not be reasons for discouragement.
Although much of the Lord's activity is silent and invisible, we can be sure He is dynamically working out His will for our lives. When the pieces of His plan are in place, He will move us on to victory.
Although much of the Lord's activity is silent and invisible, we can be sure He is dynamically working out His will for our lives. When the pieces of His plan are in place, He will move us on to victory.
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
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Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times.
Faith is as much the rule of temporal as of spiritual life; we ought to have faith in God for our earthly affairs as well as for our heavenly business. It is only as we learn to trust in God for the supply of all our daily need that we shall live above the world. We are not to be idle, that would show we did not trust in God, who worketh hitherto, but in the devil, who is the father of idleness. We are not to be imprudent or rash; that were to trust chance, and not the living God, who is a God of economy and order. Acting in all prudence and uprightness, we are to rely simply and entirely upon the Lord at all times. Let me commend to you a life of trust in God in temporal things. Trusting in God, you will not be compelled to mourn because you have used sinful means to grow rich. Serve God with integrity, and if you achieve no success, at least no sin will lie upon your conscience. Trusting God, you will not be guilty of self-contradiction. He who trusts in craft, sails this way to-day, and that way the next, like a vessel tossed about by the fickle wind; but he that trusteth in the Lord is like a vessel propelled by steam, she cuts through the waves, defies the wind, and makes one bright silvery straightforward track to her destined haven. Be you a man with living principles within; never bow to the varying customs of worldly wisdom. Walk in your path of integrity with steadfast steps, and show that you are invincibly strong in the strength which confidence in God alone can confer. Thus you will be delivered from carking care, you will not be troubled with evil tidings, your heart will be fixed, trusting in the Lord. How pleasant to float along the stream of providence! There is no more blessed way of living than a life of dependence upon a covenant-keeping God. We have no care, for He careth for us; we have no troubles, because we cast our burdens upon the Lord.
~Charles Spurgeon~
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Many Gifts, One Body?by Greg Laurie | ||||||
| It is interesting that in the early part of [Ephesians 4], Paul talks about what [believers] have in common and how we should allow nothing to disrupt the unity of the church. Later in this chapter, he talks about what we have as individuals that is unique. He talks about how God will distribute the gifts of the Spirit as He chooses to do so. One of the wonderful things about a healthy church is its diversity. That in itself is a witness to a divided world. It is a powerful testimony when someone can come into an assembly of believers and see that we have set aside our differences and there is unity. It doesn’t mean there is uniformity. God can take the same gift and put it in the lives of two people, and it might manifest itself a little bit differently as the Holy Spirit works through human personality. Ephesians tells us that God has given us these gifts “for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (4:12, NKJV). Another way to translate this verse is “to equip God’s people for work and His service.”
The idea is that we are getting back to God’s original order when we do it this way, when we function as the church ought to function. It is a wonderful blessing when you start giving out what God has given to you, as you become a part of His purpose for the church. ~Greg Laurie~ __________________________ And he saw them toiling in rowing (Mark 6:48). Straining, driving effort does not accomplish the work God gives man to do. Only God Himself, who always works without strain, and who never overworks, can do the work that He assigns to His children. When they restfully trust Him to do it, it will be well done and completely done. The way to let Him do His work through us is to partake of Christ so fully, by faith, that He more than fills our life. A man who had learned this secret once said: "I came to Jesus and I drank, and I do not think that I shall ever be thirsty again. I have taken for my motto, 'Not overwork, but overflow'; and already it has made all the difference in my life." There is no effort in overflow. It is quietly irresistible. It is the normal life of omnipotent and ceaseless accomplishment into which Christ invites us today and always. Be all at rest, my soul, O blessed secret, Of the true life that glorifies thy Lord: Not always doth the busiest soul best serve Him, But he that resteth on His faithful Word. Be all at rest, let not your heart be rippled, For tiny wavelets mar the image fair, Which the still pool reflects of heaven's glory-- And thus the image He would have thee bear. Be all at rest, my soul, for rest is service, To the still heart God doth His secrets tell; Thus shalt thou learn to wait, and watch, and labor, Strengthened to bear, since Christ in thee doth dwell. For what is service but the life of Jesus, Lived through a vessel of earth's fragile clay, Loving and giving and poured forth for others, A living sacrifice from day to day. Be all at rest, so shalt thou be an answer To those who question, "Who is God and where?" For God is rest, and where He dwells is stillness, And they who dwell in Him, His rest shalt share. And what shall meet the deep unrest around thee, But the calm peace of God that filled His breast? For still a living Voice calls to the weary, From Him who said, "Come unto Me and rest." "In resurrection stillness there is resurrection power." ~L. B. Cowman~ ___________________________________ No Exemption 2 Kings 6:1-7 gives us some important insight into how to regain our spiritual edge, And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us. Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell." So he answered, "Go." Then one said, "Please consent to go with your servants." And he answered, "I will go." So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, master! For it was borrowed." So the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. Therefore he said, "Pick it up for yourself." So he reached out his hand and took it. There are a number of principles I want to draw from this story. Although we will be focusing on the one man who experienced the loss of his ax head, for today's devotion I want to draw your attention to the majority. As we see from this Scripture, this school for the prophets was needing to expand, to build a bigger building. And notice that everyone had a part to play in what God was doing. It says "Let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell." In God's Kingdom plan, being spiritually sharp is not for just a few people. We all have a responsibility to grow. There is no exemption. God has a role for you to play. You have not been given an exemption from being a part of God's kingdom plan. He has a part for you to play in His great plan to reach the world! ~Bayless Conley~ | ||||||
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