Tell the righteous that it shall be well Part 13 - Redefining Moments

 

Tell the righteous that it shall be well Part 13

Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. 11 Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, For the reward of his hands shall be given him (Isaiah 3:10, 11). 

Redefining Moments

Whomever, God has allowed to be alive, He places eternity in. Though, He knows the end from the beginning, He reveals to us what we require for that moment. And just as He destines our generation, He accomplishes that which concerns us in His time. More often than not, His time appears delayed. All in all, He makes everything work for our good, the tough and easy seasons alike.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

However, God expects us to be faithful stewards and have dominion over the creation, even in the season of waiting for the Master. So, he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come (Luke 19:13). Nonetheless, the systems of the world will do everything to resist us. Newton's third law of motion also known as the law of action and reaction states: to achieve equilibrium, two bodies, apply forces to one another that are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. This means for system B to be moved, system A must apply more force than system B. Resisting the world systems may not be a walk in the park. However, we are assured, in all things we are more than conquerors. Resisting the world systems may usher us into dark situations. And only those who know their God and are violent will dominate the worldly systems deliberately, purposefully and forcefully. By doing so, we change the situations and we are redefined as more than overcomers.  

 

In our childhood days in faith, God would command miracles as He did at the Red Sea. However, as we prove to be stewards, God would desire to develop partners. Responsible stewards are warriors. This is why David declared that God trains him for war.  
Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle (Psalm 144:1). Therefore, the need to remain steadfast, teachable, strong minded, resilient, thankful and alert. Hence, wrestle the controllers of the world systems. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). This demands fervent prayers and faith. Every time we are tempted to give up, we must get soaked in the Word and prayers and activate the angels to minister to us. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia (Daniel 10:13). We should not allow the princes in the air to delay the answer to our prayers. We note Jesus sending His disciples across the Sea of Galilee. On the other side of the sea, was a processed man whom Jesus intended to deliver.

 

In preparation for the mission, Jesus in His own wisdom, instructed His disciples to proceed and cross the Sea of Galilee. And He proceeded to pray. In my own opinion, He tarried to pray for the mission ahead. In addition, He wanted to train His disciples. On the other hand, the enemy intended to delay the miracle of the processed man by all means. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. ...27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” ... 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” ... (Matthew 14: 22-32). On one hand, there was opposition from the kingdom of darkness. On the other hand, the mission was to be accomplished and the disciples had to learn.

 

The training was not easy, for disciples who needed to develop a notch higher. During the fourth watch; 3.00 am - 6.00 am, the disciples were still in the cold sea. Firstly, I believe they were somewhere half the journey around this time. Therefore, when the storm stuck, it was not sensible to move back. Secondly, no signs of rescue seemed near. Thirdly, they must have been sleepy, shivering and exhausted. But, it was inevitable to build their resilience. Finally, the enemy was resisting them at all cost. Therefore, getting to the other bank of the Sea of Galilee was a do or die tussle.

 

In real life situations one may have started a marriage, business, career, ministry or education. Nonetheless, a good stretch in the journey, a dark and stormy season strikes without any warning. Was one to discern such a scenario from the beginning, by any chance guess, that situations would be that thick, one would not have started. However, going back would not be tenable. Pushing forward appears impossible. Were we to visualize the life of Hannah and what she went through: Maybe she married Elkanah when she was advanced in age. The close relatives and the community had discussed every detail of her life. Then she celebrates her wedding and all is well. Down her life in marriage, she realizes she is barren. She almost despairs, regrets ever getting married and wonders whether it was the will of God for her to get married. To cover the husband from shame, she allowed him to marry Peninnah. To add an insult to an injury, Peninnah started insulting her. The pain was too much that even uttering prayers was a problem.  

 

Dark situations are bound to come. However, they should redefine us and not break us. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 11 Then she made a vow... (1 Samuel 1:10-11). When we are redefined, our faith is raised, our focus is sharpened and we have a new identity on developing a closer walk with Christ. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4). Nonetheless, we must appreciate that tough times come and go. Therefore, keep on moving at all cost. One of the popular quotes of Martin Luther King, Jr. is: "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." Therefore, keep on pushing forward.  

 

A story is told of a daughter and his dad. They were driving along a highway when a thick storm engulfed them. The daughter requested the father, whether they could pull aside, like the other drivers, as the storm was getting from bad to worse. However, the father told her to keep driving. The daughter insisted the need to pull over as she would barely see. Nonetheless, the father encouraged her not to give up.  After a couple of miles, the weather cleared in the area they were. Amazingly, the father requested her to pull aside. The daughter wondered the need to pull over as the weather was clear and she could drive faster and with ease. The father insisted and requested her to look back and see people who had given up and pulled to the side. They were still stuck in the storm. The moral of the story was; one should not give up despite the dark seasons in life. But get strong and keep moving. If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small (Proverbs 24:10).

 

It is prudent to keep moving. Nevertheless, as we move, we must be careful to move in the light. By so doing, we are bound not to stumble. But guaranteed of the desired destination.

Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them (John 12:35-36).

The danger would be to kindle our own lights. “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness. And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord. And rely upon his God Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled. This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment (Isaiah 50:10, 11).

 

When Peter was leaving the boat, his focus was on his Master. His Master’s faith redefined Him. Unfortunately, he got engrossed on the storms. The sight of the storm redefined him with anxiety. Our emphasis is critical, if the redefining moments will work for us. looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). Even in His darkest hour Jesus was motivated by love, this gave Him the impetus to endure the cross and despise shame. For this reason, we may look unto Him, the author and finisher of our faith. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).