"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." - Habakkuk 3:17-19 (pronounce "huh-back-uck")
We have been teaching Experiencing God to Christians who want to know and do the will of God for their lives for a number of years. But we have found that not every Christian, and might I say, not most Christians want to know that much. Being saved from their sin is quite enough for them. That is a good thing, of course! But there is so much more to our new life.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
While knowing the will of God for me is humbling and cool. Doing the will of God - walking and living in obedience to His will is not necessarily easy. We have been called to be salt and light in a sin-sick world. God does not pull us out of that world but sends us into it to proclaim the Gospel and tell people about Jesus. Not just by what we say, but in the way we live and respond to what life brings our way.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." - James 1:2-6
We are cautioned throughout the Bible, in particular in the New Testament, that we are going to face trials as born-again Believers. That our going will not be easy. The danger is that when we encounter trials, we will let them discourage us and question the rightness of what we are doing. As if we imagine that God is going ahead of us clearing the obstacles in the road before we get there. And if we run up against an obstacle, well - there must be a problem. We must have made a wrong turn. I have often said, tongue in cheek, "Ministry would be easy if people weren't involved!" Very often the people we have the most trouble with are people serving alongside us. We forget that we are all sinners saved by grace and unfortunately, not everyone is operating in the power of the Spirit, but the flesh. Including us.
"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 16:33
You can take that to the bank!
Be careful that you do not let discouragement tempt you to give up. To lose heart. What we do for God we do by the power of God. So how do you count it all joy, when it is not very joyful? Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, not a right attitude. It is joy in spite of your circumstances, not because of them. If you listen to your flesh and yield to it, you are going to miss God.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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