A Call To The Remnant

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 

It can be very difficult in times of peace and prosperity to stay as close to God as we should like. I wonder if it might be near impossible? I think about the Scripture ” My grace is sufficient for you.” There is, it seems, a unique grace to be had in times of trouble. The memory of that grace, the knowledge and the experience of knowing that no matter how difficult our situation was, the Lord never left us nor did He forsake us, is an attribute of the mature saint who has learned to be content whether in the stormiest of seas or tranquil windless days.

The closeness and the dependency that we discover in the midst of troubles and sufferings is a resource that we carry with us as we move along the narrow path. When we come across others in similar situations we are then able to comfort them with the very same comfort we ourselves were comforted with. Living waters flowing through us, through tried and tested vessels, brings life to those who receive it. Broken vessels cannot withhold living waters, it simply, by nature of its brokenness, allows waters to flow freely from the depths of who we are and who we have been shaped to be by the one who dwells in the very depths of us. From whom all living waters flow.

Then what is our part as we walk down this narrow pilgrims path? A desire to be used. A willingness to be broken. A perseverance that stands firm in the midst of the flames. A knowledge that God is with us as we pass through the waters. A deep desire to please our Lord and be obedient to Him. Perseverance and overcoming. Having this at the center of our heart ” Even if He slays me, yet will I trust Him.” Even if He does not deliver us from a certain situation, we will never bow down to the gods of this world. These, I have discovered, are all attributes of the saint who walks the narrow path.

So, whether we are full or whether we are hungry we shall praise Him. Whether we are rich or we are poor we shall adore Him. Whether we are naked or we are clothed we shall sing of His praises. Whether in sickness or in health we shall lift our eyes unto the hills and see where our help, our grace comes from. Whether life works out the way we had envisioned or takes a totally unexpected turn we shall trust Him. Whether we feel His presence or not we shall love Him. Whether our prayers are answered in a fashion that we expected or not we shall testify of Him. For in Him is our all in all. In Jesus is our very life and sanity. He exists outside of our imaginations yet fills every part of who we are. Eyes have not seen nor ear has heard nor has it entered into our hearts the plans of God for us yet we know Him and more importantly He knows us and He beckons us to move ever closer to Him.

Be encouraged today saint. The Lord is with you no matter what your circumstances are. In the fire, in the flood, on the mountaintop or on a windless still ocean where it appears that we are dead in the water and making no progress. Be assured that today you are one day closer to coming into the fullness, one day closer to coming into a place that the Lord has prepared for you that you have not even imagined. One day closer saint. Every day we are one day closer, one day further down the narrow path that leads to the fullness of life and the completion of the work the Lord has done in you. Celebrate your journey today and celebrate the faithfulness of God in your life. It shall release power into your spirit.