Saturday, February 15, 2020

Be Still and Know

To him be glory both now and forever. 2 Peter 3:18 

Heaven will be full of the unending praise of Jesus. Eternity! Your unnumbered years will speed their everlasting course, but forever and ever, to him be glory. Is Jesus not “a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:6 ESV)? To him be glory. Is He not a king forever—“King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16), the “everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6)? To him be glory . . . forever. His praise will never cease. That which was bought with blood deserves to last while immortality endures. The glory of the cross must never be eclipsed; the luster of the grave and of the resurrection must never be dimmed. Oh, Jesus! You will be praised forever. As long as immortal spirits live, as long as the Father’s throne endures—forever, forever you will be glorified. Believer, you are anticipating the time when you will join the saints above, singing all glory to Jesus. But are you glorifying Him now? The apostle’s words are, To him be glory both now and forever. Why not make this your prayer today? “Lord, help me to glorify you. I am poor; help me to glorify you by my contentment. I am sick; help me honor you by my patience. I have talents; help me to extol you by spending them for you. I have time; Lord, help me to spend it well that I may serve you. I have a heart to feel; Lord, let that heart feel no love but yours, and glow with no flame but affection for you. I have a head to think; Lord, help me to think of you and for you. You have put me in this world for something, Lord; show me what that is, and help me to work out my life’s purpose. I can’t do much, but like the widow who gave her two small coins, which were all she had to live on (Mark 12:41–44), I cast my life and eternity into your treasury. I am all yours—take me and enable me to glorify you now in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.”
- C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

It's so easy to cave in sometimes. 
To see a mountain and lose all hope of going over it. 

The Israelites saw Pharaoh as a mountain.  One coming with all his men to crush them.  The Red Sea opened and the way of Salvation was presented to the children of Israel.  That same Salvation destroyed that mountainous Pharaoh and his men. 

Quite often we are on the same trek as the Children of Israel after they were saved from Pharaoh.  The simplest way to really see their 80 year's in the wilderness is to realize two truths.  The land of milk and honey wasn't ready for them and they weren't ready for it.  

We will face mountains in our lives.  I sure did going on 6 and a half years ago.  Saw no way around it or over it. Felt like I was beat up before I got all the way to it. It's been a lesson that I have learned that I stay employed where I am until God makes it impossible for me to stay.  That's what happened.  

You too need to realize the seasons we go through in life are not permanent.  In reality good seasons are no more freedom than bad are prison sentences.  They are momentary.  They last for as long as Jesus deems necessary for your growth in Him and to touch the lives of people. 

In your prosperity remember to keep Christ first. 
In your poverty remember to keep Christ first. 
In your sickness remember to keep Christ first. 
In your everything remember to keep Christ first. 

That's what Scripture says.  That's what we are to do.  Not panic, not fret, not worry. Rest in the promises of God. 

In my case of 5 years in the wilderness of life Jesus gave me paid training while I healed from the wounds I received before leaving my longest held job.  He used that time to restore my soul.  To take me places with Him that I never dreamed possible. He showed me areas of my life that I was in bondage to that He carefully freed me of.  He removed many of my fears far from me. 

You may not think you have a future you can see.  Jesus still says the same to the blind as He did the seeing:  trust Me, I know the Way, I am the Way. 

You may be bedridden, that doesn't mean you are powerless. You now have a desk from which to launch a thousand prayers. 
You may be living day to day because you can't take anymore.  You have His promise that you are in His hands.  Rest as He works out His Plan for you. 

Whether you have much or little it matters not, you are still useful to the Master. Be still and know that He is God. No more if's and's or but's. Be still and know. 

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