There is no thrill for us in walking, yet it is the test for all of our steady and enduring qualities. To “walk and not faint” is the highest stretch possible as a measure of strength. The word walk is used in the Bible to express the character of a person— “…John…looking at Jesus as He walked…said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ ” (John 1:35-36). There is nothing abstract or obscure in the Bible; everything is vivid and real. God does not say, “Be spiritual,” but He says, “Walk before Me…” (Genesis 17:1).When we are in an unhealthy condition either physically or emotionally, we always look for thrills in life. In our physical life this leads to our efforts to counterfeit the work of the Holy Spirit; in our emotional life it leads to obsessions and to the destruction of our morality; and in our spiritual life, if we insist on pursuing only thrills, on mounting up “with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31), it will result in the destruction of our spirituality.

Having the reality of God’s presence is not dependent on our being in a particular circumstance or place, but is only dependent on our determination to keep the Lord before us continually. Our problems arise when we refuse to place our trust in the reality of His presence. The experience the psalmist speaks of— “We will not fear, even though…” (Psalm 46:2)— will be ours once we are grounded on the truth of the reality of God’s presence, not just a simple awareness of it, but an understanding of the reality of it. Then we will exclaim, “He has been here all the time!” At critical moments in our lives it is necessary to ask God for guidance, but it should be unnecessary to be constantly saying, “Oh, Lord, direct me in this, and in that.” Of course He will, and in fact, He is doing it already! If our everyday decisions are not according to His will, He will press through them, bringing restraint to our spirit. Then we must be quiet and wait for the direction of His presence.

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July 20, 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, Chambers tells us in this devotional that to walk with You is a statement about our daily connection with You…”To “walk and not faint” is the highest stretch possible as a measure of strength. The word walk is used in the Bible to express the character of a person—“. In the language of our day, we use the terms, “surrender and connection”. We have believed and are operating on the notions that; to be surrendered and connected is in fact keeping the Lord before us in all things. Is it the same Lord?

And God says…”Indeed the meaning is the same. However, keeping the Lord before you is often difficult because of the many distractions; spouses, children, family, church service, work, friends, recreational activities, education, hobbies, entertainment. And I could go on and on and on. Your distractions get especially cumbersome when you are well funded and very busy with work trying to sustain and increase your levels of earnings. Humans too often believe that stored income equals security; when in fact true peace and security can only come from Me.”

“However, those that wait upon the Lord…are surrendered, connected and curious are in fact walking with the Lord, and can be confident that their strength will rise, and they will rise up with the wings of eagles. You will walk and not grow weary.”

“How can you do this day after day after day? How can you “walk” or be surrendered, connected, and curious about what I will do in your life every day? I can create needs, or allow your needs to become intensified. I can use your circumstances to bring you into surrender and connection. And, or, you can choose to be surrendered, connected and curious by simply seeking Me and placing the Lord in front of you every day, hour and minute.  But you can be certain I will finish the work I began in you.”

“Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you need, including your desire and opportunity to walk with Me every day, I will also provide the grace to cover you when you do not. Acknowledge Me in all your ways, and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart; you will rise up as if you are flying on the wings of eagles.”