Just finished reading the first three books of the old testament and was astonished at the comparisons I found there in my own life. One of these experiences I would like to share with you, my readers. One of the chief complaints of the children of Israel was there mumbling against GOD out of their own doubt and unbelief during their wilderness experience. They wanted to enter the land of Cannan but they kept looking back at what they once had. Letting go of the old and looking forward to the new was not yet in their spirits, so each time affliction came upon them, they yearned for Egypt, having quickly forgotten the afflictions that they had gone through under the Egyptian people. I had often wondered why GOD led them through the wilderness instead of taking the short cut. And even though I had read through the Bible many times I had never seen these verses until this year. Being a smarty pants, who sometimes think she knows it all, I thought that GOD had made a mistake and HE had set the people up for unnecessary trials until I read: Exodus 13:17-18- And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that GOD led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for GOD said, lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: but GOD led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt (KJV). All of a sudden while reading this, I received that A-Ha experience. GOD was concerned about His people wanting to go back, if they were immediately confronted with war. HE was showing the FATHER side of His love for His chosen people. I wondered why I had not seen that before. Deep within my spirit, I heard the inner voice of the HOLY SPIRIT laughingly saying that now I was ready to hear it.
Ever wondered about GOD's actions? Have you ever thought GOD was deaf and not listening to your prayers? Have you ever let your words, frustrations or your unbanded desires bind GOD's hand and keep you from moving forward because you thought HE was moving too slow? Have you ever reacted like a stubborn mule or a goat because you thought GOD had forgotten you? If you have never experienced these things, then you are one of the lucky ones. Let me tell you, I have. And for those of you out there that may be battling with this at this moment, let me encourage you to hold on. You are not forgotten. GOD is not trying you unnecessarily. HE is working in you a perfect work and when your trial is over, you will have successfully landed in the spot where you are supposed to be.
You say, Oh Patricia, that is good talking, but you do not know what I am going through. Oh, yes I do. It may not be the same thing that I am experiencing or have experienced, but the battle against uncertainty, fear of failure, self-pity, rejection, intimidation, timidity and whatever else Satan tries to throw at us are the same. His tactics are aim at our mind. He tries to get us to deny the power, the love and the care that GOD has for us. Thus, it is so important to think about what we say. The power of life and death is in the tongue, says Proverbs 18:21. Most of us know this and say this verse often but we forget the last part, - "And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof". In other words, we have to learn to speak out what GOD has promised us. GOD spoke and the world came into existence! JESUS is the Word which became flesh! What we speak matters. But you are probably thinking I tried that and it did not work for me. No, just choosing a verse of scripture from your head will not work. I can guarantee you that. However taking a word of scripture that the HOLY SPIRIT has dropped in your heart will work. GOD guarantees that HE will do what HE says.
Thus in the midst of what you are going through, take time to commune with GOD. That does not mean going to church or joining another church project. These things are needed and should already be considered an integral and essential part of our lives. No, what I am talking about is communing with GOD alone. Taking the time to get to know Him for yourself. Take your Bible and a writing tablet or for those of you, like myself, who prefer using a laptop, get a USB stick and write down the verses of scriptures and the communication that the HOLY SPIRIT drops into your heart. And do not panic, if you do not receive anything the first time you try it. Just keep on doing it and believe me, the day will come and you will know that the presence of GOD is in your prayer time.
Do these things help GOD to move quicker or help you to understand His actions? No, they do not, but they do help you to strengthen your faith, to let go, to develop inner peace, to resist the devil and submit to GOD and His actions in your life.
And at the appointed time, you will experience the goodness of the LORD.
May the LORD who is near to all who calls on Him keep you in His everlasting arms.
Schalom,
Pat Garcia Schaack
