We’ve often heard the saying that it is darkest before the dawn, meaning that often things get worse before they get better; so we should not admit defeat when victory is just ahead.
And we have Scriptures which give us this same encouragement:
Simplicity That Is in Christ
I am strongly suggesting that we Christians (yes, I too call myself a Christian) have been unable to walk as Jesus walked and do the things He said we would do because we have believed (or at least attempted to believe) the orthodox interpretation of Scripture. We have seen ourselves as worms of the dust groveling before God, begging Him to have mercy on us, fearing that He would send us to hell to burn forever if we didn’t say the right prayer that would prove we are accepting His blood sacrifice of His own Son in order to appease His wrath against our sin.
What Is Your “Giant”?
We read the stories of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, of Daniel, of the men who spied out the Promised Land (and even of Peter and Paul) and wonder what we would do if we were in their shoes. Those of us who enjoy freedom of religion are very thankful that we will probably never be put to the test.
We think this way because we read the Scriptures only as historical accounts of God’s people.
What we fail to realize is that every story is our story —even when we are unaware of it. Every time I make a decision to believe the promises of God (which Paul tells us are yea
and Amen
—2Corinthians 1:20) rather than the wisdom of this world (which is foolishness in the eyes of God —1Corinthians 3:19), I am immediately face to face with my fears (the Nebuchadnezzars or the other giants
of Scripture) which are threatening my very life. This is equally true in every area of our lives —physical, financial, mental, social. I may not be facing the same giants
that you are, but all of us do face them. The moment you decide to believe anything promised by God, every conscious and subconscious fear you retain in that area immediately asserts itself.
What Is the “I AM”?
Jesus was asked the question of Pilate, What is truth?
(John 18:38). Though Jesus didn’t answer Pilate’s question then, He did answer it on another occasion.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
How Can I Know Truth?
Identity in Christ —Life or Doctrine?
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Jesus taught in parables or word pictures to convey spiritual truth —because words are never sufficient. God even had Ezekiel (ch 4) lie first on one side and then on the other as a parable to help the children of Israel understand what was happening in their lives. We all think in pictures as we attempt to get understanding. My picture will always be different from your picture.