DARK DAYS ARE FOR HIS GLORY!
(by E. H. Maze)
Chapter 20
Crossing Over
There are three kinds of people in this chapter:
1. There are those who
will get in the boat to cross the lake and, when the storm comes, quickly row
backwards or turn the boat around and head back to shore. These people
are always trying hard, but can't handle the struggle when the going gets
tough/rough. They never give up, but they never get across to the other
side, either.
2. Then, there are those
who like to fight the storm tooth and nail. They believe, if they
just have enough faith and tenacity, they will get across. They usually
get across and patiently wait for the next adventure.
3. Sadly, the third
type is the person who has tried sailing, but simply gave up. The
storms are so frightful so they don't even try anymore. They are
defeated, hopeless, cheerless and, for the most part, unsuccessful at most
things.
Which one are you?
Which one am I?
Well, I have a boat tied up that's just waiting for you and me to jump in
and fight one more storm together.
Perhaps, it is a new year. Last year’s personal storms (if you had any) are over. Here we are on the other shore. All our sails are still sea-worthy; although, like our sails, we are a little ragged and in need of mending. Some of us still a little shaken by the storms, but strangely stronger - and, all of us, more experienced, having a deeper respect for storms - having ridden through a big one. And yet, ready to hear the call to cross over to another shore. This time, checking the weather forecast to be better prepared, but confident that we are truly sailors, now.
We could make
another trip if need be. The Captain is
putting together a new crew. Do you feel
sea-worthy?
The storm-of-life is all about getting to
the other side, but, it is also about your character during the storm. Because in the midst of the storm-tossed
church, “Here He is, the Captain - calm, wise, leading us to the other side.”
Now that we have made it
across, we applaud and glorify the Captain - our hero.
Chapter 21
His Invitation to participate
Your Miracle - Yes, you get it early in this chapter - Pray that God uses you "willingly" because, HE'S GOING TO USE YOU one way or another!!
Don’t fool yourself: The choice not to let God take control of your life doesn't mean that He won't be involved in your life. We should never assume that God doesn't want to be involved in the day to day lives of His creation. A person's decision to violate this principle simply means he either doesn't want God involved or that he doesn't want to be involved himself. But, don't think for a minute that if someone is in the way of God's will for others that He won't involve the violators - whether they like it or not.
Yes, you have control of your own will, but
sometimes your will effects those around you.
And when God has plans for a person who wants to do God's will, but you
are in the way - well, it might be wise to remember the story of Moses and the
Egyptian Pharaoh.
The story begins in Exodus, chapter 3. The king who had enslaved God's people was a
strong-willed person. He had, obviously,
become strong-willed many years earlier. Most strong-willed people are bred that
way. You don't just make a decision to
be strong-willed. Neither do you become
strong-willed in one area and a flim-flam in other areas. And it doesn't happen overnight. It is a determination of the will and takes
great discipline of the soul to be hard-hearted. Just as it takes more muscles to frown than
it does to smile, so it takes more hard work to be in disobedience than to be
in right relationship with God.
The king of Egypt was strong-willed because he had
a hard heart. He wasn't born with it,
but he had developed it over the years.
No one is born with a bad attitude.
It is learned. It could be that
this particular man was trained by the previous King. But, it was, most likely, his own conscious
effort to be a jerk. Moreover, it is
possible the poor guy never realized it - and no one ever had the nerve to
confront the King about his hard-heartedness - not if they liked living, that
is.
So, here is the King, ruling and reigning
over God's people. And God wants to set
His people free. But, the Pharaoh won't
let them go.
Moses comes along. God has called him to get involved.
"Yes, sir,” Moses says.
Remember, Moses had been hiding in the
wilderness for forty years - not wanting to get involved because he had been
hurt and scared. But, he also had a
heart that listened (and was willing to respond to) God's voice. It is amazing how brave a heart can become
once it has been
strengthened by God's touch!
When Moses and Pharaoh met (on several
occasions), it was the conflict of the ages.
One man was determined to see God's will accomplished and was willing to
get involved - He believed God would use
him. The other man was unwilling to get
involved. He must have thought God would
ignore him.
We often think that if we leave God alone He will leave us alone.
Be thankful that God loves us too much to leave us alone.
The wonder of this story is that, whether
Pharaoh liked it or not, he was involved.
Why?
How do I know he was involved?
What do I mean by that?
Listen, it is because He was in God's
way.
It is natural for a man to want his own
way. Man's will is a gift from God. God will never violate a man's will.
I'm thankful that God didn't make us to be
used like puppets. I enjoy my will, even
though it gets me in trouble from time to time.
God wants us to will to do His will - not make us do His will. That's a great privilege.
But, if you ever get in His way... well,
look what happened to Pharaoh's army.
Look what happened to Pharaoh's son.
[Note: Pharaoh's own curse
brought about his son's death - not the curse from the Lord]
No, God didn't make Pharaoh change his
will. God did, however, accomplish His
purpose. The Pharaoh's own hard heart
brought about the consequences of his self-will.
Is God cruel? Maybe He seems to be to those who make
decisions for themselves. But, not to
those who, choosing to trust God, cross the seas to escape slavery. Not to those who through His grace are freed
from the destruction and tyranny of rampant egos.
There is no such thing as a God who chooses
to leave us alone to our own will. That
god doesn't exist. Of course, that is
why so many live without God; they tire quickly looking for the god who doesn't
exist.
The True God "Jehovah" is the One
who is personally involved in the lives of His creatures.
He said He would be found by those who
diligently seek Him. He also said,
"Try me and see if I won't open up the windows of heaven and pour out
blessings." He promises happiness
for those who do His will. In other
words, when one is involved in what God is doing He makes it work for them.
The level of that involvement is dependant
upon the creature. Which would you
prefer; to see God's will done in your life because He used you as He had used
Moses or as he had used Pharaoh?
Either way, He will be involved in your
life. And, either way, He invites you to
acknowledge His invitation to you to get involved in His life.
Will you be involved in His good work?
Six Principles of His
Invitation to Participate
I found the following six principles as I
studied the story of Abraham's request to save
1. When you recognize His presence:
Praise His presence - Rejoice that God chooses to dwell among His people.
Worship His worthiness - With us or not He is worthy as the God of all
creation.
Serve him in sacrifice - Perhaps,
even before you recognize His presence
2. He will wait for you to finish your offering.
So often we recognize His presence, but cut short the sacrifice, getting in a hurry.
You should complete the sacrifice.
3. He will always bless first
Either by forgiveness, or a promise.
If nothing else, His presence alone is a
blessing.
4. He will show you your faith.
Will you believe His promise?
We are so often undone in His
presence. But, as we are humbled in His
presence He begins to lift us up.
5. He will give a revelation.
A divine truth - a plan. A vision can't be taken away.
6. He will stay with you and invite you to
participate.
The Lord allowed Abraham to participate in
the decision that, in their counsel together, brought about the annihilation of
evil.
These principles of invitation begin with the spiritual presence of the Lord that causes us to respond in worship, but end with the acceptance of the invitation by the ones who make themselves available for the master's use.
Real
miracles always seem to make themselves known.
Although only God does miracles, they are preceded by someone willing to
pray for those miracles and, after the manifestation of the miracles, are
willing to proclaim the testimony. And,
of course, the miracle itself is the divine involvement of God in someone's
life.
Let's stop right now and agree
together. "God, we want to accept
your invitation to become involved in our lives. And we, by faith, accept your invitation to
be involved in Your life. We are humbled
and honored. Please teach us the right
paths to take so that we may be found 'worthy of this calling.’ We thank you for this in Jesus' Name. Amen!"
The Lord allows us to participate in our
own lives. That may sound a little
strange to you. Of course, He allows us
to participate! Besides, what choice
does He have - did He not give us free will?
Well, that may true for the sinner. It may be well and good for the lost soul who
has found the darkness a greater companion than the light of true living. But, the saints of God turn their will over
to Him. They say "Not my will be
done, but yours, Father." Then,
what happens?
Not only does He invite us to participate with
Him, Him also longs for us to invite Him to participate with us. What the Lord truly wants is for us to
invite Him to participate with us in the decisions of our lives. Like children, growing up and facing
difficult decisions, a parent's wisdom shows by not making those decisions for
their children.
How do you want your life to turn out?
How much of your life is a sacrifice?
Alternatively, how often do you
sacrifice? That is a good measuring rod
of how often you make room for the Lord in your life - by how much of your life
is centered on Him; how often your life is on the altar.
How often do you listen for the
blessing? Being so self-centered, at
times, we often cannot see them. Being
so self-righteous, so often, we miss the real blessings by thinking "the
moment" is it. The blessing of God
is much more than now - it is the seed of promise.
How trite is the blessing that goes away on
Sunday afternoon. And, how powerful is
the blessing that births in each of us the promise of Abraham - that God does
not only bless you but, to the world around you, you are a blessing from God!
end of Chapters (click here to go to Chapter 22)- if link is not active, the chapter is not yet ready. Check back later, please.
Please let me know if you have read (and enjoyed) this chapter by sending me a quick email to: ehylandmaze@aol.com
bless you.....................................Eugene H. Maze
This chapter and all chapters related to this website book entitled "Dark Days" (copyright 2004) was written and published by Eugene H. Maze. No portion of this book may be copied, sold or distributed either by electronic or other means in any fashion whatsoever without the expressed written permission of the author. Permission for distribution may be obtained by contacting the author at ehylandmaze@aol.com. Links to this and all previous and subsequent pages of this book entitled "Dark Days" may be distributed freely without permission.