01/19/2024 – “Vision and Darkness” / “When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him” (Genesis 15:12)
“Whenever God gives a vision to a Christian, it is as if He puts him in the “stadow of His hand” (Isaiah 49:2). The saint’s duty is to be still and listen. There is a ‘darkness’ that comes from too much light – that is the time to listen. The story story of Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light. When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life while you wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period of God’s displeasure. There is never any need to pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him (see Isaiah 50: 10-11).
Do I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? ‘I am Almighty God…’ – El Shaddai, the All-Powerful God (Genesis 17:1). The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is built on God.”
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Insert: “Who among you fears the LORD, listening to the voice of His servant? Who among you walks in darkness, and has no light? Let him trust in the name off the LORD, let him lean on his God. Look, all you who kindle a fire, who encircles yourselves with firebrands; walk in the light of your fire and in the firebrands you have lit! This is what you’ll get from My hand; you will lie down in a place of torment.” (Isaiah 50: 10-11)
Soli Deo Gloria!