Identity Network Dec. 8, 2017
Save me, O God! The water is up to my neck; I am sinking in deep mud, and there is no solid ground; I am out in deep water, And the waves are about to drown me. I am worn out from calling for help, and my throat is aching. I have strained my eyes, looking for your help. Psalm 69:1-3
There are so many things going on in the hearts of God's people.
Many believers have gone through pain and devastation because of betrayal and disappointment in those with whom they have at one time "walked with" in the Lord.
"For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one that hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God among the people." Psalm 55:12-14
Levels of Separation and Deception
Church leaders and members or friends often separate. Their unresolved issues and wounds infect others around them. With their tongue and pen, (and Facebook posts) their resentment and bitterness spread in uncontrollable proportions. Christians in other ministries and relationships receive the bad report and often, they don't even know the people involved but - because they have leaned their ears to hear the suggested and well-placed evil reports, the conversation poisons them like toxic waste in their soul. If unchecked, this becomes a hideous, malignant cancer-like cell eventually damaging their mind and above all, their spiritual discernment.
"Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But the rebellious stumble in them." Hosea 14:9
The age-old serpent, the ultimate enemy of our souls, has not lost the art of deception even after centuries! He, even now, can cause God's people, including the sincere ones, to miss the mark if they are willing to only hear one side of a story!
The Great "Occupy Something" Movement
The "frenzied entitlement culture" we are seeing hold their protests as a result of selfishness and feeding upon fear, have begun to reach a newly fevered pitch. People are "herding" their way into public venues to protest whatever they may be angry at in the moment, and mostly remaining ignorant as to what or who is really driving and orchestrating the events, reflects the hardness of heart and disrespect for the needs and lives of those around them.
This type of behavior is a prime example of even how believers have become "selectively " hard of hearing when it comes to serving one another, or encouraging one another, or having patience with one another! One moment we are asking for forgiveness and prayer, and in nearly the next breath, slanderous retorts are spoken out in anger and those driving the malicious train, mean to use others as their well-placed pawns of destruction.
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, Fighting and slander, along with every form of nastiness." Ephesians 4:31
Once bitter words are spoken or written, they cannot be retracted. Sadly, those who often shout the loudest about being maligned are often the perpetrators of assassinating the characters of those whom have been in disagreement with them or who have possibly warned them about a need for a course correction.
"He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." Proverbs 10:18
Today Many Things have Degenerated into Blurred Insignificance and Uncertainty.
The beauty of what God's purpose in His people really is meant to passionately reflect is - missing. Things that are now being said and done do not mean what they did mean originally in His Word. Twisting of truth to fits one's own idea of God's will has become acceptable and is often left unchallenged. So many spiritual and scriptural terms are put into motion, but they are not in the same dimension and point of view, which are in the Divine plan!
The tragedy is that so many well-meaning believers have gone on with the outward appearance of searching for the will of the Lord, and yet they fail to see that the power of His radiant life is missing! The Apostle Paul warned us in his letter to Timothy about this, "This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come, having the form of godliness (true religion) but denying the power there of. "
My heart is broken to see things as they are happening all around us.
So much is falling short of its original blueprint. There is so much labor and "rallying" being pumped out there into the minds and hearts of people and it is being poured into the "Self Promotion Machine" more than any time in the history of God's people! Yet the toil is ending in heartbreaking disappointment!
Saints, only those devoted to humility and honor can be saved from this deadly poison that lulls those longing to be entertained and pampered into apathy and spiritual powerlessness!
God's faithful people in this hour should seek Him and that which is upon His heart. What the Lord is doing in this era is so different, and we should be sensitive to Him!
He is looking for His "People of the Secret Place" in which the power of resurrection may freely function. The Apostle Paul said "according to the power that works in us." (Ephesians 3:20b).
These "people" will have to be men and women who have "seen!" They shall be like "a voice in the wilderness."
It is becoming increasingly clear that God must do a fresh thing with His followers.
And that actual "thing" is that He is drawing them to seek the Lord Himself and His recognizable presence! Away from the throng, nearer to the Word, bowed in repentance and prayer.
The Psalmist said, "When You said oh Lord, Seek My face; My heart said unto You, Your face, Lord will I seek."
Will You Set Your Heart to Seek Him?
Oh that God may find His Davids in this crucial hour that will set their faces towards Him at the command of His voice! Without it, the Human race will continue its fall and decline into further confusion, tragedy, and self-preservation.
"Man's goings are of the LORD; How can a man then understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:2
It's easy to say, "give your cares to the Lord and trust Him" when everything in life seems to be going well. It's easy to say, "I trust you Lord with everything I own" when bills are paid on time and when you just got a promotion at work.
However, if God striped you of everything you own; If God told you to leave the very job that's paying your bills, will you trust the Lord enough to do it? Will you trust God even when you don't understand; even when life hurts? If God told you to leave the familiar and enter the unfamiliar, will you trust Him?
For many of you, God has done just that.
He has taken you from what's "oh so familiar" and redirected your paths into the unfamiliar. You don't understand what's happening in your life; what to do or where to go.
The only thing you know is that the Lord gave you a word (instruction, a promise, vision, etc.) and the only thing you have to hold on to is that word. I understand the feeling; you're not alone.
There is Encouragement for You Today
Many things happen in our lives that we will never be able to explain or understand because God is orchestrating the events of our lives "behind the scenes" (read Job 1-2). Moreover, we cannot detect God physically (through our senses) and we cannot comprehend His plans.
"But the hour cometh, and now is, When the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: For the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit: And they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 4:23-24
Therefore, since we cannot rely on our perception or our reasoning we must turn to something else that is more reliable if we are going to be able to remain calm in the midst of turmoil, to find rest during the storms of life we must rely on God's knowledge instead of our own.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Let us run right now to the throne of grace and mercy.
Now! While our hearts are freshly tenderized and troubled over the recent events in the earth! Here is something to remember. Man is fallible; we fall short and at times we're unable to keep our promises. Man can give you instructions that are misleading and imperfect.
With God, none of these things are possible. God keeps His promises, God gives you right instructions according to His perfect will and He won't mislead you. No matter how much you don't understand life as it is right now, no matter how uncomfortable it may seem or how hard it gets, don't give up. If God is with you - the same God who spoke life into you, the same God who IS and knows the beginning and the end, the same God who knew you before the foundation of this world -is with you, then ask yourself who or WHAT can stand against you.
Consider the Source and Seek to be Obedient to the Lord
Even when you don t understand what God is doing in your life; don't worry about "this or that" because God has provisions for you. There is the safe voice of the Father calling us. Let us respond with ears to Hear and hearts that obey.
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16
Mary Lindow
