Our human will drives us to stay in control of our life and to live it as we choose, rather than in submission to any created or divine being. We feel the need to manage our life and the life of all of those who have influence over our existence in any way. We do not want anyone, who could possibly disturb the orderly peace we create in our sphere of reality, to have the control. If anyone tries to disrupt our peace, we reject or fight them with every ounce of effort we can muster.
However, true rest comes from submitting to God’s will for
our life. In reality, we could never attain the amount of peace through our own
vigilance over the order of our life. Our true victory is in responding in
kindness to those who attempt to abuse us and to rely heavily on the hand of
God to use every trial for His glory. When the situation is impossible to bear,
we do not have to remain in an unsafe or unsavory situation, and we can remove
our self to an alternate space to await God’s will in the situation.
There is absolutely never any reason to divorce our self
from any person or situation; but if possible, we simply reposition our self in
order to have some space and protection from the situation. We wait on God to
move in the circumstance and to work it all out for our benefit (Romans 8:28).
He often takes His time in these issues, giving the other party plenty of time
to repent and come to their senses. He will influence their decisions, but He
will never force His will on them.
Regardless of their choices, God will always protect His
Saints, even to the point of death. Even those Believers, imprisoned for their
faith and unable to escape, find that He sustains them from the inside out. He
gives them His supernatural comfort and joy, which surpasses all of our
horrifying circumstances they are forced to experience (Philippians 4:6-8).
They live in victory and in praise for the honor and glory of our Savior’s
name: Jesus.
Prayer:
Father God, we start dying to self by denying our flesh in
simple areas, such as that second piece of cake; then we soon develop less of a
desire for carnal appetites and more of a desire to live in submission to Your
will. We start this walk of total dependence on You by developing quiet times
in our daily schedule in order to sit in Your presence. Even in Your silence,
we can still pray as You bring people to our mind. Ultimately, we spend our
time in praise for who You are and all that You do for us. We reap intimacy
with You and have fewer areas in our life, on which the devil can feed.
Thought for the Day:
We live in quietness and confidence, which is our
strength; and we dwell in peace and safety forever. – Isaiah 30:15, 32:17-18
