Do you know how a toddler gets when he is desperately in need of a nap; irritable, on the edge of irrational? That was me! I had a sharp disagreement (read that, fight) with my wife over a silly statement that was really of no consequence. I complained inwardly about things that are no big deal. Yes, I was one big baby. Here's how I got to that place; I tried to be my own god! Instead of taking time to share my trials, temptations, concerns and needs with the Lord, I chose to try to carry them alone, worrying about things I cannot control, fretting over an unknown future. I felt the tug of the Spirit several times through the day inviting me to spend some time in retreat, prayerfully drawing on His strength. But, I was 'too busy' (that self-god thing) and decided to substitute a few flash prayers. Those are the quick short "Lord, help __________" that we pray in emergencies. It's fine to pray that way, but they are no substitute for contemplative deep reflection when we "wait on the Lord!"
Believer, if we are engaged with the world as we ought to be, we will find ourselves desperate and weary for the battle is often fierce. The work of the Kingdom of Heaven is no Sunday School picnic. The Word is not being sensational when He warns us that "This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. " (Ephesians 6:12, The Message) We are called to care, to love, to give! Those are not without cost. Evil is active, not passive. The Devil organizes forces against God and His people and he does not fight fair. His only goal is the destruction of the works of God. And, if he can accomplish that end by convincing us that we must be 'god,' exhausting ourselves to the point of despair, he will do that. The goals of the evil one are accomplished as readily when we work hard and ineffectively to the point of becoming ungodly, as they are when we do nothing!
But, we are not his victims. We are not helpless, hopeless, or hapless. We are richly resourced, equipped for the mission. "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." (Ephesians 6:10, NLT) There is an old saying worthy of repeating: "A Christian is never stronger than when he is on his knees!" "The Lord doesn’t care about the strength of horses or powerful armies. The Lord is pleased only with those who worship him and trust His love." (Psalm 147:10-11, CEV) So we don't run from the battle. We don't ask to be reassigned to an easier place of service. We don't seek to be relieved of duty. We ask to be resourced from the rich supply that our God has available. This is the promise: "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31, NKJV)
Here's a Word on which to meditate today. As you read them, make they help you to give God His rightful place in your mind and heart. May they help you to see Him in His majesty, for He is a BIG God.
"I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21, NKJV)
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