We tend to romanticize stories of God delivering His people victoriously. We read about God shutting the mouths of the lions when Daniel was thrown into their den, and we cheer. But do we realize that Daniel had to first stare face to face at some hungry lions, whose mouths were not yet closed, in order to experience the deliverance of God? We know the end of the story but Daniel did not.
The period of time where we stand face to face with "the lions," not yet knowing the outcome, is the struggle. Whether the length of time is minutes or months or years, two factors make the struggle particularly difficult. First, while God is absolutely present in the struggle, we find it difficult to feel His presence. The emotions, frustrations, and fears of our struggle cloud our ability to sense that He is close. It's like being in zero-visibility fog not realizing help is only a few feet away.
And secondly, what God is orchestrating in the struggle is never known until victory comes. God rarely tells us the plan ahead of time. He does not give us insider information as to the workings going on in the heavenly realms on our behalf. Consequently, the struggle is endured only by an unrelenting belief and faith in the God who delights in delivering us from overwhelming odds.
My heart is full of compassion and prayers this morning for those standing face to face with some lions who are licking their chops - assuming they are on the verge of devouring you. But you, man or woman of God, stand firm and stare back - not in your own strength but with the power of God. He is the God of overwhelming odds who will bring you through the struggle to His victory in His timing.
May the wisdom of God invade your heart and mind so that you make think clearly about such things.
May the wisdom of God invade your heart and mind so that you make think clearly about such things.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
No comments:
Post a Comment