myemanna.org

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:11

This weekend at church I was sitting amongst friends and family listening intently to our pastor. He was telling us how he went through a long, dry, spell just a couple of years ago, and how it pushed him to react in some very unchristian ways. No, he didn’t commit adultery or any such nonsense as that, but he did feel hostile towards other people - especially those in the body of Christ. He had been rejected and condemned, and being a preacher brought even more guilt and condemnation during his trial. Fortunately for us, it didn’t scare him to be transparent with his flock. And his testimony of God’s faithfulness during his dry season brought hope and life to us. God brought great good out of that season for him, and we are currently reaping the benefits as a church body in the way that we worship.

I’ve come through a similar season. I’m barely on the other side. I’ve heard of others describe a “dark night of the soul”, but would smile and nod as if I truly knew what that was but really didn’t. It was just the nice thing to do. But I’ve learned so much about myself and about my God through my recent trials, that I’m hoping to share just how faithful He truly is over the next few months.

I’ve been pondering the above scripture lately. The apostle John expresses that we overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Incredible. The blood of the Lamb I get - but the word of our testimony? It makes perfect sense really. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). He was the Word made flesh who dwelled among us (John 1:14). Because of His sacrifice, now He’s the Word who lives within us (1 John 2:14). As blood bought believers, WE are His living, breathing Word on planet earth. Our words carry the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21), and when we present our testimony to the world we build or diminish the faith in others. In the case of the overcoming Believer, we build faith. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.

I once heard of a missionary couple who attended a yearly conference. They were excited about seeing their fellow laborers once again. But when they arrived, they realized that it was all a competition to see who had suffered the most that year. They heard stories of extreme sacrifice, hunger, danger, and even death. It floored them. Instead of testifying to the goodness of God in their lives, these precious friends had taken their eyes off the Prize, and had placed them on their Problem. Instead of looking to the Prince of Peace, they were magnifying the power of the enemy. They were tearing down with their testimony, instead of building others up around them. Were the things they experienced of no consequence? Absolutely not. But we are to keep at the forefront of our minds that our story is far from over, and there is great glory on the other side for those who persevere through great trials. Actually, I believe the Word of God says, “Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4-7)

Irregardless of what happens to us, God is still good, and He is still in control. Throughout this season I have walked through I’ve said to myself and others, “I may not see the good in this trial now, but I know I will eventually.” We have to come to a place where it’s okay not to understand what you are going through, but still trust that God has you where He wants you, or is getting you where you need to be!

We all fall down. We all sin. We all fall short of where the Lord would have us to be. But He is faithful, and He is diligent. The world may turn against us, but our God remains. He meets us right where we are, picks us up, dusts us off, and whispers words of love into our ears. He will never leave us or forsake us. He has taken His marriage vows seriously, and absolutely nothing can separate us from His great love.

And that’s a testimony I hope you repeat.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

The Lord is an ever-fixed Presence in our lives - like a lighthouse is to a mariner. But just as the captain has to follow the directions of the light to secure safety for his men and his ship, so must I seek out the Lord for safe passageway in this life. As I come willingly and dwell with Him, He provides the shelter I so desperately need. In His Presence I find rest and protection from my deadly enemy, and a reprieve from the storms of life. When I rest in His Presence my strength is renewed, my vision restored, and the atmosphere of Heaven itself fills my lungs. In His Presence is fullness of JOY, and that joy becomes my strength!

As I cross over the threshold of His Presence, He is inexorably drawn to my weakness. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. This boggles my mind, but in my heart I know it is true…I’ve experienced this miracle time and time again. He is not repulsed by my shortcomings, but drawn to them, for He longs to redeem all things. What was once our greatest downfall can be transformed into tried and true character, and our greatest strength. Our foolishness is replaced by His wisdom, our floundering turned to faithfulness. His grace truly is sufficient for our every need. We are only required to approach with a heart of humility and gratitude for His great love.

One of the greatest lies the enemy has at his disposal is the lie that your Father will not listen to you when you call out to Him. That He sees how you’ve blown it, and He’s going to disown you somehow or ignore your pleas for help. That you are not worthy to approach him. And he’s absolutely right. Without the blood of Jesus covering our lives, we don’t have a leg to stand on. Without His sacrifice, we may as well save our breath. But we are not without hope as children of God. We have every right to call upon our Father in our time of need. No human father could be as biased toward his children as our Father God is to us.

It has taken me years to see that when those arrows of doubt, despair and confusion hit me, it is usually to keep me from coming to my Father who has every answer to every problem I’ll ever have. When you allow Him to come to your rescue, and save you from the pit you’ve fallen in for the thousandth time, it creates in you a sense of awareness that #1 - God really is there, #2 - He really does care what happens to me, and #3 - if God is for me, who can be against me?!? You wake up one morning and realize, “Hey! My God truly is FAITHFUL!” And eventually, you’ll have the eyes to see the pit from a distance, and side-step the plans of the enemy. You begin to beat him at his own game, and show others how to defeat him as well. And then he’ll be wishing you hadn’t opened your eyes that morning.

When you find yourself in the midst of the storm you can do three things:

Stop. Look. Listen.

Be still and know He is God. Look at your situation from His perspective. Listen for His voice. He wants to speak to us more than we’re willing to listen.

Father, help my heart to humbly come, cross the threshold of your love, and fall into your arms of grace once more. Thank you for faithfully leading me back to You. May your dwelling place become so familiar to my spirit that I carry the fragrance of heaven wherever I go. Thank you for giving me rest for my troubled spirit. I give you my weakness, my shortcomings and my missteps. Draw near to me. Touch me and heal me. I love resting in the shadow of your Presence, and I choose to be hidden in You. In Jesus precious Name, Amen.