Since Spirit-filled believers are endowed by OUR SOURCE
with deeper understanding of situational times and seasons, we never need worry
or stress about OUR RESOURCES. OUR TIMES
AND SEASONS are faithfully committed to (and controlled by) the LOVING AND
SUSTAINING HANDS OF GOD. So even while life-circumstances ‘appear’ to be
dead or dying, the all-wise God has preordained ultimate victory and success.
According to Jude, HE is “the only wise God” and HE is to be accorded
“glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.” (Jude 1:25) ONLY
GOD knows the end from the beginning, and for that reason alone, we confidently
commit total trust in HIM.
Kingdom Principle Number Six: APPEARANCES NOTWITHSTANDING,
THE ALL-WISE GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL! Daniel gave an insightful praise report on the wisdom and power of God. “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the
name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: and HE CHANGES THE
TIMES AND THE SEASONS: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom
unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: HE REVEALS THE
DEEP AND SECRET THINGS: He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells
with Him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)
This scripture passage suggests that any believer who
operates out of reverential fear of God becomes a blessed benefactor of SECRET
KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM. The Psalmist David penned two closely related
revelations concerning this. First, he wrote “The FEAR OF THE LORD is the
beginning of WISDOM.” (Psalm 111:10) And then, David revealed the direct result
of such a reverential fear: “The SECRET OF THE LORD is with them that FEAR HIM;
and HE WILL SHOW THEM HIS COVENANT.” (Psalm 25:14) As believers, we have a
covenant relationship with God. Never forget: GOD is a PROMISE KEEPER!
Every day, we walk hand-in-hand with THE ALL-SUFFICIENT ONE (who has
already ordered and walked out our steps), so why should we worry? Think
about it.
This brings to mind our granddaughter, Sydney, who at the
approximate age of five was fully capable of navigating stairs alone, but
whenever Sydney was near me, she would always reach for my hand. It was
her way of feeling safe and secure – since she apparently believed that her
‘Pop-Pop’ would never let her fall. Isn’t this an instructive lesson for us
(believers) who should invest total trust and confidence in the hands of ‘Abba-Father’ to guide our way through
challenging circumstances? If we would only stop to reflect on the power
of God, we would realize that our anxieties surface for no good reasons at all.
The seemingly major issues we encounter are minor matters to the Creator of
Heaven and earth! Too often, we doubt whether God will bring all His
promises to pass. The clock seems so fast, and our progress seems so
slow. One insight from yesterday’s devotional bears repeating: “Stop
fuming, fretting and fussing about what TIME it is…GOD KNOWS YOUR SEASON!”
That is why the twelve disciples should never have
surrendered to doubt and fear. The ‘place’ they occupied and the
‘problem’ they experienced were directly connected to the ‘command’ of Christ,
and therefore subject to the awesome power of The Living Lord. So, when TROUBLE
showed up – JESUS showed up!
Kingdom Principle Number Seven: GOD IS OUR PRESENT HELP IN
TIMES OF TROUBLE. (Psalm 46:1) Let’s look briefly at the text again. “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the
wind was contrary. And in the fourth
watch of the night JESUS went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the
sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spoke unto them,
saying, BE OF GOOD CHEER; IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID.” (Matthew 14:24-27)
Kingdom Principle Number Eight: WHEN GOD SHOWS UP, DON’T
DOUBT HIM. Our Lord really knows how to make a grand entrance, doesn’t
He? Jesus is not only a water-walker;
JESUS IS A WAVE-WALKER! Be assured that there are NO tempestuous waves…NO
life-circumstances…that are too hard or too heavy for Him to bear. Take a
mental snapshot of that stormy night on the sea. The drama and noise of
that night were literally off-the-chain! Howling winds…tempestuous
waves…fearful disciples crying out…it was loud and noisy beyond belief.
But the Lord of Heaven and earth strolled by (atop the wave caps) and
whispered a Word of now-faith to those fearful boys in the boat: “BE OF GOOD
CHEER…IT IS I…BE NOT AFRAID.”
Sisters and brothers, I have noticed something similar in
my own life. Whenever my ‘boat’ tacks perilously close to troubled
waters, somehow over the background noise of my personal storm, I can tune in
to His calming voice speaking soothingly to my spirit: ‘Don’t worry…don’t be
afraid.’ As one gospel hymn composer penned, whenever JESUS SPEAKS, “the
sound of HIS VOICE is so sweet that the birds hush their singing!”
In tempestuous times like these…He still walks with me…and He talks
with me…and He tells me I am His own! David said it even better: “What
time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3) Amen! Stay tuned…more to
come tomorrow!
Sisters
and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU
ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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