January 9, 2008
In the body of Christ there are those who are on the front line of the spiritual conflict that is taking place in the heavenlies. These are the ones who will truly experience not only the fight of Satan against them but also the chastening of the Lord. All of this to bring about one thing and one thing only that is to achieve the fullness of Christ in each of us. Therefore the measure in which we yield to the Lord in training, correction and purging of our old self nature is the measure in which we are being filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit. It is through the working of the Holy Spirit that this fullness of Christ will be accomplished. The emptying out of ourselves, the filling of the Spirit, one can’t happen without the other. So we all will eventually come, those who truly seek the face of God, those who seek to remain faithful we will have a Job experience. Not necessarily the exact things happening but things that will have the same deep spiritual experience, coming to the end of our natural abilities and ourselves.
The faithful will come to the same place as Job and will bow to the working of God in their life. Remember the working of God in your life to bring an end to yourself; it will produce in God’s people, an eternal work which produces eternal results in God’s purpose. So let us remember when we think thoughts like Job’s wishing he had never been born or even one of God’s most powerful prophets, Elijah, requesting to God he might die. Remember there is a joy, a peace, a blessing though we are pressed out of measure in spirit, soul and body when we are pressed beyond our natural ability, our natural strength. We are pressed to a point we can do nothing about the situations. We feel weak, insufficient, the suffering is so great, the troubles and pressures constantly bombarding us. We cry out, ” Lord, it seems like I can’t go on, it seems like the end, I can’t take any more”. Yes, God answers back yes it is the end, the end of you and the beginning of me. This beginning of God, the Holy Spirit to work in your life to show you the peace of God to be content in whatever state you’re in. We must learn to be like Jesus, is to learn His sufferings. “That I may know Him, the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” That I might know Him, this is our comfort and our consolation and in the measure we know Him that is the measure we will endure until God has His way in our lives.
So here you are in the role of Job, going through the worst of times, not understanding why we’re suffering, others not understanding the depths of our sorrows. But God knows; for there is a battle going on Satan accusing you before God. So let us look at these circumstances in the spiritual realm instead of the natural. Job had suffering; the loss of family, loss of wealth, loss of health, loss of self-respect, esteem accusation on his character but through all of this Job came to the fullness of God. Satan wanted Job bitter, full of hate, cursing wanting him to blame God but Job endured and was filled with the true grace of God and so shall you be! Through the tears, through the heartache, and despair, keep looking to God. Satan only sees part of the picture but God knows all. He knew through all of this Job would endure and by enduring bring faith and eternal results in the purpose of God.
Remember Job’s suffering was not from sin, he was blameless and upright; but let us fall to our knees seeking God, searching and examining ourselves to find any hidden sin, something not confessed, bitterness, and any unforgiveness in our lives, any thought, word or deed Satan can use as a reviling accusation against us. Let us cleanse ourselves in the blood of the lamb-saying search my soul Lord and show me any iniquity that would separate me from you.
Lord let me not be a sheep gone astray, show me, lead me, let me heed the call of the Shepherd, to the Holy Sprit, the still small voice of my one true God. Lord; help me to learn in all of this the awesomeness of your might, the truth of your love the hope of my Savior to bring me to the fullness of your son Jesus. Transform me from trial to trial, tear to tear and from faith to faith to the fullness and glory of you. Help me to see your perfect timing and eternal purpose that is being worked out in my life. The purging of my impurities, the cleansing of my sins, the shaping of the vessel to fill and use for your glory.
Yes Lord, it is for your glory. I seek the Shekinah glory to cover me, fill your house, fill my life; Lord I want nothing but you. Lord help me to remain faithful to trust you and you alone. In these times of battle it is only the presence of God that will carry us, only his comfort can heal our wounds. So remember God’s word to Satan about Job; as God said about Job God says about you; “He is mine, he belongs to me, he is my possession, my chosen vessel and I will use him to fulfill my purpose, my plan, for my glory.”
God’s hand is upon you, all will be restored and your peace will be that of a God who wants the best for you and will give you abundantly after your time of trial is over.
Darrel Mason
"Into the Lion's Den"
Trafford
publishing 2001