The Daily Word of Righteousness

Killing the Witness, continued

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment. (Isaiah 50:10,11—NIV)

Every son of God must be tested in these three areas: the lusts and passions of the flesh and soul; the tendency to look to the world for survival and security; and the temptation to challenge God, to "step out in faith" and attempt to perform some work in the Kingdom before he or she has heard from the Lord. He must pass all three tests if he is to appear with Christ when He returns.

We do not have the wisdom and strength in ourselves to do anything of eternal worth in the Kingdom of God. But there is one thing we can do. We can present ourselves to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to guide us in His will, in the meanwhile doing faithfully whatever has been assigned us to do.

It does not matter at all whether we accomplish anything in the religious world that other people can see. But it matters tremendously that we keep ourselves each day in a position to hear and obey the Lord Jesus.

Let others do the "big things." You and I will wait before the Lord continually, listening to that Voice that alone knows the will of the Father. There is rest in this. Then if He asks us to do some great thing we are ready. If He requires only that we pray faithfully, we are just as ready for this role. It is whatever He wants.

Then, when we see Him, we will hear "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter the joy of your Lord."

But if we insist on taking the things of the Lord and running with them, spending them on the world apart from His leading, we eventually will arrive at a dead end. Hopefully, like the prodigal son, we will come to our senses and return to our Father's house.

Maybe we will grow old and bitter, exhausted from our attempts to accomplish that which would have been a song of praise had we waited for the Lord's timing.

Whatever He says to you, do it. Let Him govern your thoughts and actions. Do not get involved in the turmoil created by ambitious people, whether in the secular or religious realm.

Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoices over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, (Isaiah 8:6—NIV)

Look for the waters of Shiloah that run quietly and softly. Enjoy the green pastures. His yoke is easy and His burden light.

Perhaps other people will not think you are very important. But you will have Jesus, and that is all that really matters. (from Killing the Witness)