Jesus was not rebuking the disciples in this passage. Their faith was real, but it was disordered and unfocused, and was not at work in the important realities of life. The disciples were scattered to their own concerns and they had interests apart from Jesus Christ. After we have the perfect relationship with God, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, our faith must be exercised in the realities of everyday life. We will be scattered, not into service but into the emptiness of our lives where we will see ruin and barrenness, to know what internal death to God’s blessings means. Are we prepared for this? It is certainly not of our own choosing, but God engineers our circumstances to take us there. Until we have been through that experience, our faith is sustained only by feelings and by blessings. But once we get there, no matter where God may place us or what inner emptiness we experience, we can praise God that all is well. That is what is meant by faith being exercised in the realities of life.“. . . you . . . will leave Me alone.” Have we been scattered and have we left Jesus alone by not seeing His providential care for us? Do we not see God at work in our circumstances? Dark times are allowed and come to us through the sovereignty of God. Are we prepared to let God do what He wants with us? Are we prepared to be separated from the outward, evident blessings of God? Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. And God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been interested only in His blessings, instead of in God Himself. The sense of God’s blessings is fundamental“. . . be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Unyielding spiritual fortitude is what we need.

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April 4, 2012

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

This is not an easy lesson Lord; learning that my faith gets stronger when I am left inside difficult times and circumstances to learn patience and endurance. In the past, I enjoyed the days when my every prayer was answered almost immediately, and all I had to do was look up and know that You would rescue me.

Today, that does not occur with the same immediacy, You leave me with my trials and difficulties for a time of learning and growth.  And although it is not easy, I can acknowledge that am learning and growing closer to You as a result, and I am learning more about hope, love, mercy and grace than  ever before.

And God says… ”Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. “(James 1:2-4 The Message).

“Stay connected to Me. Stay hopeful, faithful and focused on Jesus, and you will be blessed right inside difficult times and circumstances, all the while growing in faith, surrounded by My love and immersed in the mercy and grace of Jesus.”