REST FOR A WEARY SOUL

   

 Often when we are wounded; we will retreat to our own cave of isolation.  Sometimes isolation from the noise of life has it's place; rest isn't a sin.  If anything God even rested after creating the world, so if He needed, so do I.  Yet, if we are not careful the isolation can cause us to forget our purpose on earth, we were not created to be alone.  Nevertheless, a few years ago, I went through some intense trials within my family, it was a traumatic time in my life.  To be truthfully honest, the trauma caused me to have a crisis not only within my life; it was within my soul.  It's not a period I want to relive but sadly within my mind, I have re-played the events over and over to the point of evaluating my decisions for myself and my family.  

 Still, within the coldness of the cave, I could feel it caressing my skin to bring calmness to the pain of the reality I stood.  As the wind howled through the entrance of the cave, I stood frozen to the ground.  Although the world was spinning outside the cave; I stood frozen in disbelief at what my family was just exposed to.  Yet, isn't that what trauma does?  It comes unexpectedly, a heartbreaking shock, and your mind is so overwhelmed you can't feel your body breathe.  Simply breathe...to prove to yourself you are alive but you are in the deepest pain of your soul.  Oh, to scream!  It would be a wonderful delight to allow the pain to come forth but it will reveal your presence.  It will cause some people to question your madness, some come to comfort as the friends of Job's, while the majority ignore the desperation of your scream.  So, you remain silent in isolation to prevent revealing your presence or drawing undue pain to those you love.  Oh, the hearts of the weary who long for rest!  Rest from the wolves who tore into my life so deeply with their teeth into my veins.  Yet, the pain is so deep the ice has started to frost my vision of God or distort the truth with its plaguing questions of doubt, unbelief, and fear.  

Numbness falls quickly as the dark twilight of the night emerges without solace or friends.  The numbness is a companion of the dread in which I stand.  God's voice is silent, no friends to depend upon, and the pain deepens with each breath.  The cave isolates not those who can conflict with pain but it isolates them from the opportunity of life or healing.  Love, peace, and healing are truly the hope of the weary soul but the fear of rejection, being misunderstood or doubting your faith could cause the choir to hush.  It's the reality of where your life stands in the midst of trauma.  

 Unbelief whispers questions about your worth before the Almighty as the dust of the ashes falls.  Doubt points to the reality of where you are.  Fear holds your feet, so the mustard seed of faith can't be seen.  The ache of your beloved's longing to come as the morning sun.   Although we seek solace or seek to gain an understanding of what's happening, we can lose a piece of our heart with our questions.  Questions of wondering, "Did I handle the situation right?"  "Did I make the right decision for my children?  How do I rebuild my life outside this cave?  Is it worth the risk?  

IF I REMAIN IN THE CAVE; IT WILL TURN INTO A TOMB'

God didn't create our lives to be a walking tomb; He created us for life.  Truthfully, life at times will not make sense, pain is a reality, but the truth of God's Word and His character will prevail.  How can I be sure?  Jesus is still the Good Shepherd.  When your beloved calls your name, your aching heart thirsts to answer the call even if it's just a whisper.   He hears it!  A shepherd will search endlessly to be reunited with his sheep, regardless of the terrible location of the cave.  What truly brought me out of the cave, was truly being alone to hear the voice of the Shepherd.  I didn't answer the first call but as the Holy Spirit keep prompting me, I obeyed to come.  During a weekend stay at a hotel, I was determined to hear the voice of God, I wanted to be alone to pray until I heard Him.  So, I will share what He told me, "Let Me lead you to see MY goodness."  The Holy Spirit led me to two places in Scripture Psalm 23 and Psalm 34:18 and then told me to sleep.  

WHEN THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I LACK NOTHING!  He desires to take me out of the cave to a place of GREEN PASTURES and LEADS BESIDE QUITE WATERS.  He knows I need rest, tranquility, and substance for my soul.  Yet, so many times we run what He offers.  He wants to REFRESH my soul.  We can rest assured of His desire; it's His name-FAITHFULLNESS and TRUTH!

Although darkness came, it will not conquer me because death has been defeated by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  So, as His child, I will rest in knowing His goodness and love will follow me ALL the day of my life.  Even in the darkest times of my life, I am not out of His sight or care.  

As Toby Mac sang in The Elements, "I get my head right, my heart has to follow."  Beloved, God is calling you out of the cave, don't be afraid to answer.   I pray the Spirit of the Lord will give you strength to step out of the cave and breathe life into you.

  

WEEPING BETWEEN THE PORCH AND THE ALTAR

For the last several years, my heart has ached in pain.  A ruthless pain beyond description, unfamiliar, and it was paralyzing me.  Regardless of what I did, the pain wouldn't escape although I cried relentlessly.  My faith was present but it's resembled a smoldering wick in the wind, the enemy was waiting for it to blow out.  Trial upon trial hit my family for two years, it felt as if this season would never end.  Nevertheless, when a trial comes, God has my full undivided attention.  

All of my dreams, expectations, and the faith of my family hung in the balance.  Trauma affects the victim but don't be deceived into believing it doesn't affect the victim's family.  Angry, frustrated, torn upon my beliefs, convictions, and even broken-hearted over decisions of leadership.  Ashes were all I could feel, the soot smeared not only upon my hands but into my heart.  Darkness swirled around me due to the brokenness of my family but the ashes keep smearing on the floor with my tears.  No matter where I stood the wind blew me into a different direction or down again.  How could I minister to my family?  Others?  So, instead of being the outspoken prophet, I was found weeping between the porch and the altar.  

JOEL 2:17 says: “Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?”

As the darkness grew around me, I didn't want to hear from ministers or personally share what was happening in my life.  Truthfully, only a handful of trusted friends and my pastor knew but the battle was fierce.  Instead of the Job's friends at my feet; they were in my head.  As I carefully examined my heart during the two years of intense trials of my walk with Christ, I withdrew to solitude.  

Yet, I found comfort in this passage, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 1 Kings 19:7  

Beloved, if the journey feels too much, you are not alone; it's not the first time a soldier has felt the heat.  Elijah is probably my favorite prophet in the Bible, he walked in the Holy Spirit before the outpouring.  He walked in the miraculous, was bold, and preached the truth before man.  Nevertheless, he was overwhelmed with fear, physically famished, and exhausted.  Elijah acted differently, he left his servant and went away to be alone.  Truthfully, Elijah had enough, he didn't want to deal with it anymore.  Oh, I can relate to the man!  Can you?  It's important when we feel overwhelmed, we are taking an evaluation of how we are eating and sleeping.  The angel of the Lord fed Elijah and allowed him to rest.  After resting, Elijah traveled for forty days and nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into the cave and spent the night. (1 Kings 19:8-9)   

Elijah entered the cave WITHOUT God's instructions; he went on his own accord.  He didn't enter to pray with God or to find shelter from a storm.  He went inside to hide from the battle, he didn't want to fight anymore.  He felt alone.  According to Scripture in 1 Kings 19:10, He replied, "I have been zealous for the Lord God Almighty.  The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword.  I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

Elijah didn't like the results from his previous assignment; no one stood with him.  He was the only one standing for God and he was about to be snuffed out.  From the evidence of his people, Elijah didn't see a promising future.  No one was following God's covenant, coming to the altar for prayer, and silenced those who spoke the true Word of God.  

During the end of this trial, God brought 1 Kings 19:11-13 to my mind.  As I meditated on this passage, I hope what I learned will help you.  (Please read this passage)

1.  Elijah had to position himself to hear from God - He went to the mountain in the presence of the Lord.

2.  A great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, BUT the Lord was not in the wind.   Although the circumstance is tearing you apart and appear extremely powerful, it's not God's doing.  God is powerful but it's not His power we question during these times, it's what is He doing?  Why is this happening?  

3.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  Beloved, don't look at the wind or tremble at what is bringing you to your knees, it's not going to destroy you.  Our thoughts can toss us to and fro but we have to remain steadfast in WHO God is!  We can rest in His integrity; He is a God who doesn't lie!  Although it may be getting more intense; it will only push you to hear a gentle whisper.  Yet the wind, earthquake, and fire can try to prevent us from desiring to hear God's voice.

Only the gentle whisper of God's voice is going to move you to the opening of the cave!

Don't allow the circumstances to overwhelm you, be mesmerized by their power, and prevent your heart of what you need most - HIS GENTLE WHISPER.

SIFTED SAINTS

When we choose to follow the voice of God; it will not come without resistance.  Challenges, temptations, or circumstances will come to either destroy our vision or sharpen us to complete it.  So, what’s the promise God’s given you?  It’s important to write it down, memorize it, but it’s most valued when we believe it.  Satan’s going to try everything possible to sift you as wheat but Jesus is praying for you. 

It’s comforting to hear those words from others, “I am praying for you!”  It brings comfort, care, and reassurance.  Nevertheless, people may forget to lift me in prayer but Jesus NEVER will.  It’s a truly comforting truth of Scripture, Jesus prays for me.  "Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.  Right now upon the mercy seat, He intercede on our behalf.  Although the enemy is trying to make sure our faith falters or fails; it can’t because Jesus is praying.  Jesus has faced our fears, faced our struggles, and faced our enemy!  So, He knows what it’s going to take to endure-prayer! 

 

 
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31

 

Without prayer; we have no strength!  Without prayer; we have no power!  Without prayer; we are defeated!  Yet, the promise of Jesus is I have prayed for you!  Jesus knew the test of Simon before it occurred; He told him.  So, Jesus isn’t worried, confused, or scratching His head about your situation.  Jesus is already aware of Satan’s tactic in your life, so rest in knowing Jesus is watching with a careful eye.  As the old song says, “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.” 

If your faith is never tried, you will never have a testimony to declare or a song to sing.  Faith isn’t made for the weak of heart; it’s what makes a true heart of a believer.  Mouth of lions can’t be closed if we never stood in the den.  Stepping out of the furnace can’t be true unless we been through the fire.  Your faith isn’t going to burn out; it’s going to be used to pour out the greatest worship song!  What’s the promise God has given you?  Go back to the day!  Stand firm in knowing God’s Word will NEVER come back empty; it can only accomplish what He desires. It will not be voided or changed. 

“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” "For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:11-12

Trials and test come to mature us, to bear good fruit, and show we belong to Christ.  We are not greater than Our Master, so we will suffer for loving Him.   Nevertheless, the most important line of communication must be with the Father, we can’t stop praying! Jesus didn't stop praying even before He was to be arrested in Gethsemane.  Sadly, He called for the prayers of His followers who were sleeping.  However, if no words come don't be alarmed.  God hears the most sincere prayers even if no words are spoken. We don't have to use words; tears are an expression from the heart. Jesus wept, felt forsaken, and asked for this cup to pass; He was human just like us. Yet, the most important truth: Jesus expressed it all to the Father.  Sifted saints can testify of the power of God, the presence of God, and the promises of God.  It’s not just for reminiscing it’s for declaring to the body.  Why is the book of Psalms so dear to the heart of believers?  It's a collection of praises of a person who has sang our song!  Psalms actually means "a melody of praise" in the Hebrew.  So, pick a Psalm!  Declare the praises of God again!  If you can't pray it through; sing it through! 

As Jesus speaks to Simon beforehand about the trial of Simon he is about to face, He knew the outcome.  May it comfort your heart; Jesus already knows the outcome of your trial!  So, when you come out on the other side share it with others.  Testimonies are useless without a story to tell.  So, what’s your story?  Can you recall a time of God’s deliverance in your past?  Well, the story is still continuing! So, don’t get hooked on the back pages, keep turning the pages, God’s still writing!  It’s going to have moments of suspense, moments of failure, but always moments of triumph! 

 

 

 

End of the Desert

If I were to give a round trip ticket to any destination of your choice, where would you go?  Maybe Paris, France!  Or how about an Alaskan trip to see the Northern Lights?  Truth be told, I am not sure anyone would pick the destination of a desert.  If so, I would truly question their mental state.  Why would you want to go to the desert?  It’s incredibly hot!  No quick place to find shelter except in a cave or near a camp fire.  It’s a tiresome walk alone!  No matter where you look or walk it’s bleak, barren, and seems completely lifeless.  All of God's greatest warriors had to walk through the desert to inherit their promise.

Yet, if we truly desire to grow in Christ, we can’t escape the desert.

Sometimes, we wonder if the tests and trials of this life are producing anything.  Or what’s the purpose of all of this?  Is the promise really worth waiting for?  As we try to take another step in the tiresome heat, we grow faint from exhaustion.  Where is God?  Where is He leading me?  Doesn’t He see that my enemy is chasing me! 

Trials do have an end!  Although it may look bleak upon ever turn, God’s still directing your life.  The prophetic promise upon your life isn’t going to be destroyed because the enemy is pursing you.  If anything the tactics of the enemy are being used to prepare your life to take hold of it.  When God truly calls someone’s life; everyone is aware of the anointing upon you.  It can’t be hidden or disguised in your life if God is truly your hearts pursuit.   David’s family saw the oil poured upon his head, the call placed upon his life, and didn’t understand his purpose.  Although David’s fame was recorded for defeating Goliath, his fame wouldn't usher him to the inherit the throne.   

"Isn't this the David the they sang about in their dances: " 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?" (I Samuel 29:5) 

If we are to have victory in our lives, we just rely on past victories.  We have to keep relying on the name of the Lord.  Goliath wasn't David's only enemy to defeat, he faced several others before his prophetic calling was fulfilled.  David's enemies wasn't just Goliath or the Philistines, this enemy was someone personal, a member of his family.  David had to try a different strategy to defeat Saul, he had to wait upon the Lord.  David never attacked Saul with vengeance or try to remove the kingdom, although it belong to him.  David was able to defeat Saul because he keep the Lord as His refuge, so his enemy was never able to corner him.  

Although Saul savagely pursued to take David's life; it tested the heart of David in the midst of the desert.  David had to learn how to inquire of the Lord, rest in promised Word, and keep walking when no one is praising your name.  

Besides chasing David in the heat of the desert, he brought 3,000 chosen men to hunt him for four years. (I Samuel 24:1-2)  Another four years David dwelt in Ziglag to avoid Saul's plot, he was working for the enemies-Philistines. (I Samuel 27:1)  No matter where David would run, someone would send word to Saul, so the pursuit would continue.  How do you not lose heart in the heat of the desert?  The desert doesn’t cover the earth; it has an END.  As the finish line blows through the breeze; it awaits to be crossed.  It will only break the moment your feet has crossed it.

Yet, even in the midst of the desert, God will not allow the enemy to have the upper hand.  He will protect your life in the cleft of the rock.  Jesus was FULL OF THE SPIRIT and LED BY THE SPIRIT into the desert after fasting for forty days. (Matthew 4:1)  If the Spirit is leading you into the desert; He will bring you out of it.  The testing of desert did end, the devil was defeated, and Jesus was strengthened after. (Matthew 4:11)

 Besides being David’s father-in-law, Saul, was king of Israel.  Saul had the complete power and authority to destroy David; this was his motive.  It would be nervous enough to have one man to chase you down.  How about 3,000 men chasing you in the desert?  How quickly could you find a refuge?  Or how fast could you out-run them?  Besides being outnumbered, they were trained to disintegrate a person, I would be scared out of my mind.   However, God gave David a perfect view of the situation in 1 Samuel 24:1-10) 

What do you do when your enemy has your back against the wall of the cave?  Wait until God brings your enemy into perfect view!  Saul was reliving himself in the opening of the cave.  Saul was vulnerable, without a weapon, a plan, and only a man.  He couldn’t destroy David who was hiding in the cave; He was secure in the rock. 

    Trials do have an ending point but we don’t know the length; only God does.  However it’s important to keep your spirit right in the desert.  The desert will not only test your character; it will test your heart to keep believing God and His Word.  Don’t allow the enemies whisper rob your prophetic destiny; the desert does END.  Only by Encountering God will you have the power to endure, rest in knowing it will Never destroy God’s purpose, and Deliverance is promised through God.