Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
How is God using your current situation to take your walk with Christ to the next level?
To answer this, I think we need to bring back into view the first question: What difference would it make in our pulpits if young adults going into Bible college trusted the Lord by faith beginning with tuition and living expenses? What difference would it make in your own life and your own walk with Christ if you trusted Him when you faced an insurmountable obstacle?
Let’s ask it another way: What difference would it make if our church pews were full of people who trusted God to overcome insurmountable obstacles?
Quite by accident I stumbled across an article entitled, “Americans Say Religion’s Influence is Declining, and They Aren’t Happy About It.”. The article highlights a growing trend, which is the ineffectiveness of the church, while saying nothing about why this is occurring or how to reverse it. I believe instead it points out that we are often quick to say “there is a problem, someone must do something,” without ever considering that “someone” should probably be you. There is a word for this: Indifference – indifference toward Christ and indifference toward the lost world.
Geman pastor John Christolph Blumhardt (1805-1880) said, “The feeling that this work of God would according to the usual course of things, in the long run, lose its vigor and freshness, made me more and more familiar with the thought that the church of Christ at large wants a new outpouring of the spirit of Pentecost, and that without this, nothing would be durable. This led me to pray for a new outpouring of the Spirit, and that without ceasing, the more so as the signs seemed to indicate that we are not far from the last times. The clearer I begin to see the corruption and manifold defects of present Christendom, the more unavoidable is to me supplication for its renewal, which can only be accomplished through a special movement of the Spirit of God from above.”
James Gilchrist Lawson in his book, Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians (1911), writes that Pastor Blumhardt’s “special pleading for the Holy Spirit was answered with an enduement with power from on high. After this he had so much power in preaching the gospel and in prayer for the sick that his work grew to such an extent that he was compelled to procure the large government building at Boll.”
When you turn to the Lord and ask what difference it would make if you trusted Him; when you ask what He wants to do in your current situation; and when you ask Him how He is using this for your good, He will pour Himself out on you.
I’m afraid the Lord doesn’t draw near to us more often because we expect a resolution and an answer now. We expect to go through life without enduring lengthy trials. Let me tell you very clearly but respectfully that the moments when the Lord was most close to me are those moments when I was weakest. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in their weakest, most vulnerable moment, where was the Lord? He was standing right beside them. In Paul’s weakest moment, where was the Lord? Paul recounts the Lord’s promise that when he was weakest the Lord’s strength was at its peak. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
“Power is perfected in weakness.” While the Israelites waited on the Lord, their throats were becoming more dry by the second. Their bodies were likely feeling the onset of dehydration. While Hans Egede waited on the Lord, their supplies continued to dwindle, and they risked being unable to escape before the winter freeze. Daniel was at the mercy of lions. David was at the mercy of the giant of war, Goliath. In my own experiences, my family’s well being was at stake. Waiting on the Lord appears to be risky. And it is true that in the moment we do not know how things will work out.
Let me ask you, why does it matter that we do not know how things will work out? What is our chief aim anyway? Are we looking out for our own well being or do we have heaven in view?
When put this way, we can clearly see that our own self-interests and self-preservation are often very much diametrically opposed to heaven’s interests. So, which is more important? You must settle this question before going any further.
What difference would it make to Daniel or David or the three men in the fire if God took their lives and obtained glory from it? Wouldn’t their lives be worth it? Surrender – complete surrender – to the Lord is hard, and I will be the first to admit it. Enduring trials for the Lord is very unpleasant. But what is more important, me or God?
I think deep down inside we all want a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Certainly the folks who responded to the survey did when they said they aren’t happy about the church’s declining influence. The problem is we want the Holy Spirit to descend on someone else. Sadly, such thoughts will be no defense when we meet Jesus Christ face to face one day. The Lord will flash before your eyes what might have been or the people who might have been won with the gospel if you had allowed the Holy Spirit to move and work in your life. I do not believe you can even begin to imagine what your reaction will be in that moment.
How is God using your current situation to take your walk with Christ to the next level? There is only one way to find out, and that is to bow the knee. “O Lord, send a revival, and let it begin with me!”
“Am I willing by God’s grace to do anything … in order that God may be more loved and glorified, and that my fellow men may be raised to a more God-like and happy service?” (Quoted from William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army)
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