Every fact that the disciples stated was right, but the conclusions they drew from those facts were wrong. Anything that has even a hint of dejection spiritually is always wrong. If I am depressed or burdened, I am to blame, not God or anyone else. Dejection stems from one of two sources— I have either satisfied a lust or I have not had it satisfied. In either case, dejection is the result. Lust means “I must have it at once.” Spiritual lust causes me to demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God Himself who gives the answer. What have I been hoping or trusting God would do? Is today “the third day” and He has still not done what I expected? Am I therefore justified in being dejected and in blaming God? Whenever we insist that God should give us an answer to prayer we are off track. The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it.
We look for visions from heaven and for earth-shaking events to see God’s power. Even the fact that we are dejected is proof that we do this. Yet we never realize that all the time God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us. If we will only obey, and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him. One of the most amazing revelations of God comes to us when we learn that it is in the everyday things of life that we realize the magnificent deity of Jesus Christ.
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February 7, 2011
Lord, I do not understand. I have tried to be right where you want me. I have praised you and worshiped you in spirit and in trust and I have stayed connected to you through crisis after crisis. And now right in the middle of this crisis with my brother, I have another crisis to face. More obstacles, and accompanying emotional riptides. Where did you go?
And God says…”I am right here with you. I did not promise you that your circumstances would be peaceful. I did not promise you fairness, nor did I promise that your friends, family and neighbors would treat you fairly. In fact I promised the opposite. I did promise that your trials would help shape you into a man after My own heart, and I promised to be with you. Stay connected and trust in Me while new challenges face you and I use them to shape and mold you.
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5
