Do you try to hurry God along? You know He is in control, and believe that He will take care of you, yet you get impatient in the waiting. You try to be patient, but when prayers go unanswered, it is so easy to doubt, to question His authority as you take matters into your own hands. You push God off the throne in your heart and “help Him out” by moving whatever it is you think needs a push forward to get you closer to the outcome you are looking for.
You and I both know this doesn’t go well as God’s children.
When you place yourself in authority within your own heart, chaos ensues. It is good to remember that a battle is waging within you. Light and dark are fighting one another. The light of Christ is battling the dark force of the enemy for he hates God. When you choose to follow God through His Son, you become an enemy to Satan and this world. Thus, God has to separate you from it, see 1 John 2:15-17 and 1 Peter 2:9-10.
Read the following quote from Never Forgotten, Always Loved, by DaySpring, that gives you a sneak peek into the battle that wages on in the spiritual realm as God leads you out of worldly thinking and living (the dark) and transforms you into His image (the light). He is preparing you for heaven. He does this by walking with you.
In His presence, transformation takes place.
Notice the change that takes place: “Changing from turmoil to peace, from anxiety to trust, from worry to assurance, from striving to rest, it comes by changing kingdoms. God moves you from a kingdom of darkness to a kingdom of light, from a kingdom of selfishness to a kingdom of love, from a kingdom of deception to a kingdom of truth. It is a kingdom where the soul finds mercy and the heart finds grace. In His kingdom, you are led, not driven, guided but not pushed, healed without being tormented, fulfilled while not being frustrated, freed from bondage, edified over being degraded, encouraged instead of provoked, released and not hindered.”
With all its offerings, this world looks like a favorable kingdom to put down roots, but God says to come away from its trappings (see why in the above quote). Take a look at what scripture has to say, like John 15:19, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, I chose you out of the world. Because of this, the world hates you.” Look up James 4:4, 2 Peter 2:20, and 2 Timothy 3. The world will come to end when Jesus returns to judge it for its sins. Peter, in the New Testament gives us insight into how to prepare for the earth’s fateful day, see 2 Peter 3.
God desires every person to live in peace, but because of Satan and sin, you and I need to follow Jesus for this to happen. Every person needs saving from the wiles of this world. Jesus is the only way out, see John 14:1-6. He gives you the Holy Spirit as your forever friend and companion. God sees to it that you are never left alone.
As you celebrate Christmas next week, keep in mind the wonderful work of love, grace and mercy that came down from heaven. Jesus came to die for you. He came to lead you out of turmoil and give you peace, satisfying peace, that dwells deep within every repentant heart that follow his King.
“But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me.” (Psalm 13:5-6)
Carol J German 