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Tuesday, November
25, 2008
Perish The Thought
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we
faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed
day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (18) While
we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not
seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are
not seen are eternal. (KJV)
You know, if you look at things according
to the outward appearance then many times it looks hopeless, impossible,
like we are ready to perish. However, if one looks through the eyes of the
Spirit, having their understanding enlightened to that realm, then one is
able to see victory. Thus the reason why we are told not to lean to our own
understanding, but rather we are to put a total trust in the Lord and the
outcome He provides despite the afflictions we may be experiencing for a
short time or season. The more you can look to the eternal, the less you
will be influenced by the temporal realm and the futility of it.
Psalms 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the
LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. (2) He brought me up also
out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,
and established my goings. (3) And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even
praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the
LORD. (KJV)
Some days it seems like nothing can go
wrong, while at other times our walk seems like we are struggling through
clay, or a big mud hole. Sometimes it just seems like one is stuck in a
pit, and everywhere you turn there doesn’t seem to be a way of escape.
Again we see the term patiently waiting, so that we can be established on a
rock, which for the believers that rock is Christ. Once again, as we go
through these times of trial and tribulation, which can result from
persecutions, the Lord is faithful to provide a way of escape; and out of
the abundance of your heart will come a new song of joy and victory for
those that hold fast to the end.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-5 We are bound to
thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith
groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each
other aboundeth; (4) So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of
God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations
that ye endure: (5) Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of
God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also
suffer: (KJV)
Again, we see that trials and
tribulations, persecutions, are a result of what you are doing right and not
wrong. Now it is just a matter of how you are going to handle it, and wait
for the manifestation of the Lord’s way of escape. The word ‘token’ in
verse 5 means evidence or proof, knowing again that all those in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution.
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (KJV)
Sometimes when a situation arises, the
first thing one thinks of is “God, just get rid of it”. The truth be known
though, God will show you a way of escape, which may not happen right away,
but if you patiently wait on Him He will provide it so that you can bear
it. Keep in mind it says ‘bear it’, or how about grin and bear it. As long
as we are on this earth and in these earthen vessels we will be subject to
temptation; the question is, ‘how will you handle it’? The quicker you are
to cast down any thoughts or imaginations, the less you will have to bear
with them. However the flip side is, the more you give ear to the
temptation the more desirable it becomes, which if entertained to long will
result in sin.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 And lest I should be
exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was
given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest
I should be exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord
thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's
sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (KJV)
Here is quite a take on persecutions;
Paul actually went so far as to say he took pleasure in them. Whatever
Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, which could have easily been the devil
reminding him of his past, the enemy is looking to be a thorn in our walk
as well. What an interesting take on it though, realizing that his strength
was actually in weakness, for when he got to the point that he was weak and
helpless on his own, then was the strength of God able to manifest through
him. Have you gotten to the point where you realize that you are weak, and
that the more you decrease the more the Lord will increase in your walk? In
other words, how many times have we tried to counsel the Lord, telling Him
how things should be handled? Thus again, the importance of letting
patience have its perfect work so that we can be perfect, which means
mature, lacking in nothing.
Colossians 1:9-12 For this cause we also,
since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that
ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and
spiritual understanding; (10) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto
all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the
knowledge of God; (11) Strengthened with all might, according to his
glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; (12)
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of
the inheritance of the saints in light: (KJV)
Still think you can handle things on your
own? With all the strength, wisdom, spiritual knowledge and understanding
that is available in Christ and that patience thing again, all I can conclude
with today is, perish the thought.
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