My Temptation

My temptation these days is “trust.” Or, rather…the “lack” of trust. Satan temps me not to trust the Lord. He says to me, “Look at your bank account! Look at your production schedule! Nothing is coming in and everything is going out! You can’t trust Jesus. He’s allowing you to fail.”

Hmmm…interesting that I listen to the Evil One more so to Jesus. It is a real struggle of faith. It is a battle unseen. Paul said, ”For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” Ephesians 6:12

Lord help me. I know I walk this path for a reason (probably for many reasons). May I prove worthy. Am I getting stronger? I can’t tell. Am I slow to respond? I just can’t tell. I really do feel like I’m in the middle of a battle and can’t really see if I’m winning. Satan is so intent on keeping Christians “in their place.” In other words, he surely wants to keeps us from getting stronger. I think he thinks that he may have lost the war of our souls, but he’s right in there fighting the battle of spiritual growth and strength. So many Christians “settle.” They get saved, grow spiritually to a certain point, but then stop and rest contented. If there’s one think I’ve learned in traveling the G3 road, it is this. Sooooo many of my girlfriends have chosen to “stop” and not go any further on their spiritual journey. It’s too hard, too painful, too exposing, too whatever…but they just stop. They live their lives stuck in a place where they are just getting by spiritually. They attend church, sing in the choir, teach a Sunday school class…but they don’t KNOW God on an intimate level, they don’t really deeply understand His ways, they don’t trust Him for the important things in life (notice I didn’t say the “big” things in life. Every Christian comes running to God during the “big” events in life…but do they run to Him in the “important” things…the EVERY DAY things?). I guess they think God’s not really interested or involved in the daily, minute-by-minute happenings in our lives…that He sits aloof and doesn’t involve Himself in the minutia of life. Although, I think deep down inside they know that’s not true because they see Christians around them who bear witness that God IS interested in having that kind of relationship with us and testify to that experience. That’s where my friends get stuck. It’s just too hard and too much work to go there.

Well, that’s true. Sometimes it is hard work. It involves commitment and resolve. You get knocked down a lot and you pick yourself up and keep moving forward. Satan will attack, attack, attack. He surely doesn’t want you going down that road! If you get stronger and grow deeper spiritually, you’re more of a threat to him.

But, don’t be discouraged my dear ones. The rewards are endless, eternal and are given NOW in this world to equip, strengthen and give peace!

I speak more to myself here than anyone else. I needed to a good talkin’ to. :+) I have been reminded that no matter what…no matter what…no matter what…

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
Though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Habakkuk 3:17-18

Therefore, I will sing:

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

“Blessed be Your Name”
Matt Redman