Whenever God gives a vision to a Christian, it is as if He puts him in “the shadow of His hand” (Isaiah 49:2). The saint’s duty is to be still and listen. There is a “darkness” that comes from too much light— that is the time to listen. The story of Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light. When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period of God’s displeasure. There is never any need to pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him (see Isaiah 50:10-11).Do I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? “I am Almighty God…”— El-Shaddai, the All-Powerful God (Genesis 17:1). The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is built on God.___________________________________________________________________ 

January 19 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, I get the message of this devotional; when You give me a vision, wait on You to fulfill it, do not take it into my own hands.  And I must certainly avoid the old “OK thanks for the vision, let me take it from here Lord”.  It is a sound message to wait upon the Lord. And when I am certain that it is a vision or direction from You, I believe I can, and do wait on You.  But when I want or need something so badly, and believe You have sent the answer in the form of a solution, reprieve, or blessing…well I have a propensity to grab hold for all I’m worth.

Now looking back over some of the “visions” or answers I thought I received from You, I question my capacity and patience and wonder if the vision or message was from You at all? Or was it my imagination, or my intensified desire? If I was absolutely certain that the vision is or was from you, and if I could stand still and wait even while I saw the boat sinking or freight train barreling down…Lord I would be a lot more patient and become more proficient at the waiting part.

And God says…”You become more proficient as you wait and listen. Your faith grows as you wait and notice that the boat has not sunk and the freight train was a miniature or a figment of your fear and trepidation. When you say, “I believe, help me in my unbelief”, how do you think your belief can be helped? Your  belief grows out of sitting in the boat (or walking on the water) when the boat seems to be sinking, Your belief and faith grows when you wait on Me all the while sensing and feeling the rumbling on the train tracks. Of course you would wait if I sent a miracle so that there was no reason to doubt. But Jesus came as a human child in swaddling clothes. He did not fly out of the sky proclaiming victory. And the answers to your wants, needs, prayers and requests also come in the form of everyday occurrences.”  

“All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord. When you live and interpret all things as coming to you from God, you then can also wait for the nudge, notion or specific direction for when and how to take action, or not. You will become proficient.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not rely on your own understanding and I will make your paths straight. … Those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. If you seek Me, seek my voice, you will learn to hear Me above your own voice and the cacophony of everyday life. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened. My sheep know My voice.”