Every child of God has the experience of sensing the Holy Spirit nudging when we have blown it yet again. Our naturally born carnal spirit clashes with the Holy Spirit as He urges us on to walk in His power. We all want the strength of God reigning in our lives. None of us would refuse God’s own peace soothing us in all the hurting places of our heart. We love His joy without measure that fills us to overflowing as we walk in intimate relationship with the One we love so much. At such heights of hope and joy and peace it seems that nothing could make us tumble down into despair ever again — until it does.
We’ve all had those moments when, yet again, we have opened our mouth and hurtful words have poured forth, or we’ve demonstrated unnecessary frustration toward someone. We’ve done the wrong thing again and again and again. These are dangerous moments in our walk with God because demonic forces seize the opportunity to cast accusations, pointing out in evil glee our shortcomings, shouting that we’re no good to God or anyone else.
What is the number one thing we shouldn’t do? Agree. When demons whisper disparaging words, insulting us in our weakness, never, ever agree. Why? Because we only sink further into the quagmire of misery. What should we do instead? Shout out loud, “get behind me Satan, I am purchased by the blood of the Lamb, counted as righteous before my Father. I am washed clean by the blood of Jesus, made whole by His blood, and purified for eternity, all because of the blood of Jesus.” Satanic forces must flee. Yes, they’ll be back; relentless in their attacks, but they cannot win any battle for control of our mind as long as we — practice repentance.
When we fail again and again, it’s so easy to fall into self loathing, but this , too, is sin. When we hate ourselves, we are showing distain for someone Jesus died to save — He died for you and for me. When we allow ourselves to listen more closely to demonic accusations than we do the urging of the Holy Spirit to come before the Lord in repentance, a lack of peace becomes evident, then joy is gone. We feel pathetic. Our intimate, lovely walk with God has stopped. We go nowhere near joy because we are stuck on a muddy path of despondency, all due to unconfessed sin in our lives. Satan is smirking while you are hurting.
Is there hope? How do we get out of this ugly quagmire that sucks our inner peace into melancholy? The answer is found in Matthew 3:8 when John the Baptist tells us to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (NASB). Did you get that? It’s repentance that leads us to bear fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT). Refusing to confess our sins leads to demonic forces taking advantage, kicking us down; but repentance, confessing with desire to walk close to God, lifts us into heights of joy and peace and patience and goodness.
We will all sin until that day when we are in our resurrected bodies. Until then, we don’t have to live in downcast defeat. We can live victoriously everyday — just repent and accept our Father’s forgiveness. Then walk on in the joy of the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, making us more like Jesus everyday. Get out of the quagmire of misery. Repent and walk on solid ground of joy again.
I know I write a lot about our dog, Jack, but I learn so much through him. Here’s what came to mind this week. Jack has lots of dog friends. Some come over for a visit. Whenever a dog arrives, Jack welcomes them right in. They drink from his bowl, and even eat some of his food if any is left behind. When it’s treat time, inevitably, it will be the visiting dog that comes up close to me, bumping Jack aside. What does Jack do? Absolutely nothing — except wait his turn. Even when we’re out walking, if a group of dog friends see me, gathering around for a treat, Jack sits and waits outside the assembly of hungry hounds.. He never shows any panic that he might not get a treat. He just waits, knowing, trusting, believing his moment of treat delight will come,
Oh, to be like Jack! We know we have never seen God fail. He has always provided exactly what we need. Why then do we so easily panic when trials come our way? Oh, to sit and wait like Jack, trusting, believing with every passing moment that a blessing will come our way right when it’s best for us.
Unlike Jack, you and I can be so impatient. We know what we want and what we need. We’ve already told God what it is — just to help Him out — but still we are waiting. Nothing is happening. Panic begins to drown out hope as the arch enemy whispers his demonic lies, “what if God does’t work it out for you? what will you do then?” Alarm bells sound loudly! Fear of the unknown grabs us by the throat, choking away any peace that was still in our hearts.
Finally, like someone sinking in stormy water, we cry out, “Help me, Lord!” Swiftly we are on dry land of hope again. Strong arms cradle us in love. We feel our body giving way to rest in our Father’s plans for us, knowing His plans are always for good and not bad (Jeremiah 29:11). We remind ourselves that He made the universe and everthing in it. He is greater than all our doubts. His love for us is immeasurable. We remember that He is molding us into His image. Being on the potter’s wheel can be uncomfortable, but when we are let out of the furnace, we are gleaming in the beauty of the Lord, reflecting His light for others to see, that they may also have hope in their own stormy seas of trouble.
Somehow, our lovable, often goofy Jack, understands, For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under Heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Therefore, he waits in trust. He knows at the just the right time his treat is coming. Then — yum yum — will it ever taste good.
Earlier this week as our dog, Jack, and I were taking an afternoon stroll around the neighborhood, we passed a group of little girls gathered together. I could tell by the excited manner of their talking and hand gestures that they were engaged in happy discussion. They were all smiles. Something good was being planned. Suddenly I heard one of them say loudly, as if the most amazing idea had come to her, “I know! Let’s ask my Dad because he knows everything.”
Wow, I thought as we walked on, I wish every child of God had that same conviction about our Heavenly Father. After all, our Dad really does know everything. Do you recall the passage in Matthew 11? Jesus is speaking, first to John’s disciples, then to the crowds that had gathered. He is talking about their disbelief even though they had seen Him perform many miracles. He’s talking to the crowd when suddenly, Jesus shifts His attention to His Father, and starts talking, out loud to Him! Jesus knew His Father knows everything. His Father makes no mistakes — ever! His Father is our Father, too. Isn’t that amazing?
When Jesus finished speaking out loud to His (and our) Father, He turns back to the crowd and says, My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him (Matthew 11:27 NLT). That’s us! The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3:3, For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Meditate on that for a moment. When you become a child of God, through Jesus Who is the only way, then your life is tucked safely in your Father’s care and protection. You have the right of a son and daughter to come into His presence, telling Him anything, knowing He will gladly help his own children.
Jesus continues His speaking to the crowd by saying in the very next verse, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are confused about today, unsure of, hurting about, or feeling alone, please go to Jesus and your Father. Rest to replace turmoil is promised. Direction will be given to show you the right way to go. Your Heavenly Father loves you. Go to Him. After all, our Heavenly Dad knows everything.
When we think of inheritance, we usually think of what a loved one who has passed away, may leave us. It may be money, a house, or any other tangible possession. Those things are very nice to have, but at some point, all of those things will fade away. Money will be spent, houses may be destroyed, any tangible possession may be lost. Also, we can’t take anything we inherit with us when we pass away.
How wonderful to know that for every child of God, we have an inheritance to look forward to that will never fade away, be destroyed, spent, or lost. Scripture refers many times to our inheritance. I love this in Galatians 4:6-7 (NLT), Because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir. Just think, once we were slaves to sin, but through Christ we are set free. Now we look forward to all we will inherit: Eternal Life in Heaven, Heaven itself in all its splendor, basking in the presence of God’s glory, so bright that the need for sun is gone. We inherit a dwelling in Heaven where there are no more tears or sorrow or pain or disease.
Today, in our earthly bodies, we cannot fully understand or realize the extent of what we will inherit, but we know, because of Christ, it will be the height, and width and depth of joy without measure. From the moment we exhale our last breath on earth, we inhale our next breath in the presence of Jesus. The greatest of our promised inheritance will be to look upon His face. We will experience the fullness of our joint love for each other.
Our inheritance is something out of this world, the journey beginning the moment we receive Jesus into our lives, seeking and receiving His forgiveness of all our sins. Then begins our journey through earth, learning more of His loveliness each day, knowing the power of the Holy Spirit within us, gaining understanding of the Father’s love for us, meditating upon the beauty of His Word. How thankful we are today, and will be for eternity, for the cross. If not for the cross, we would have no hope. Because of the cross, we have a promised, irrevocable inheritance.
What about Jesus? What is His inheritance? Hebrews 1:2 tells us that God the Father has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through Whom He made the universe. Read also I Peter 2:9, You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
How amazing is that truth! As Christ Himself is our inheritance — we are His.
Yesterday morning I sat down at the table and opened my laptop looking forward to getting some work done. (I’m writing my next book). After a while our dog, Jack, sits near and lets out a little whine to get my attention. I knew what he wanted, but answered with, “It’s not time, Jack.” He was letting me know that he wanted to go out for his mid-morning walk. He just sat and stared. “It’s too early, Jack. Just wait.” He was waiting, never taking his eyes off me. I could feel the stare. I was tapping away on my keyboard, glancing at him every now and again, those eyes, beautiful brown, tender eyes, unblinking, waiting for me. He knew I would finally get up and take him out. He didn’t know when so he just sat near in my presence and waited. You know what I did, don’t you? Yes, I got up, told him he’s a good boy, and said, “let’s go.” He was ready! Tail up, trotting down the hall standing still as I slipped his harness on. We had a most enjoyable walk together.
You may have guessed what I was thinking as I walked along with Jack. Waiting on God can be one of two experiences: we can sit in worry and frustration, or we can sit in trust knowing He will move when He’s ready, and when He does, it will be perfect timing. I love the verse in Lamentations 3:25, The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him (ESV). It touched me warmly when my dog waited in trust, knowing I would get up and take him out. He knew when we did go, it would be great. If I can feel that way toward my dog, oh! how much more does the heart of our Heavenly Father spill over in love and pleasure of us when we wait before Him in complete trust, believing in His timing, knowing beyond doubt that all will be well.
Many of you reading this will be waiting on God this very moment, hoping for some particular something today. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you put the worry away. Instead, enjoy the beauty of waiting in His presence. Merely waiting in itself can be anxiety filled, but waiting before Him and with Him can be delightful. Let the moments fill you with trust and inner peace. Bask in His love for you, letting trust grow, because then you will know, in His perfect timing, and in the beauty of His love for you, He will lead you on and be with you ever step of the way.
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