I am sending this out as a petition to myself and those who read this blog: choose this day to seek the King in this crisis rather than complaining about our rights being violated. Oh how committed we are to our rights. And boy how defensive we can become if someone treads on those rights. “How dare you!” Thank you Greta Thunberg. But the real question that matters is, “What is God doing?!”
We have pastors who believe they have the right to violate the authority’s directives. They will have church, hell or high water. But God doesn’t bless our rebellion. No matter how noble I feel my actions are, God functions in and under authority. And maybe His plan is for us to seek Him individually under this mandate. Maybe God is looking to solidify His relationship in the individual hearts of His children. And these pastors just might be thwarting His intended move. I don’t have a particular word on this, all I have is a sense. But unless we will humble ourselves and pray and seek His face, how will we know?
Liberty and Freedom
Now I am not speaking of trading our liberty and freedom for safety. Ben Franklin had it right when he said, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety!” So I am not implying that we need to just lay down and let men ride over our backs. But what is being asked of us is not a violation of our morality. The Gospel is not being violated, we are just being temporarily inconvenienced from what we want.
These are unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in but they smacks so hard of God’s sovereign hand. And no it doesn’t matter if any man had a part in these events, or how man attempts to manipulate this now that things are underway. The truth is God is doing something in this situation, and my question is what, and how do I get in line with Him?
Rights and Authority
Running about trying to find out who shot Annie is not important when our sovereign God is over it all. Here is some questions we can ask. “God, what are You doing in this time?” “What are You after as I shelter in place?” “The churches can’t meet in the assembly, so what is on Your heart for Your church?” “How is this in Your plans to prepare Your Bride?” In all this I always go back to a precious word the Lord gave me a few years back for my sister in her personal health crisis: “Don’t look at what is happening, look at what I AM doing!”
During this coronavirus crisis, our Great Shepherd has a purpose and plan for us personally, as well as corporately. And our earthly rights are not on the top of His list and agenda! As long as I focus on this earthly plain, I will be susceptible to the hysteria and manipulation of man on this earth. This is opposed to God’s eyes being on the Kingdom, to bring Heaven down to earth.
My Right to Choose This Day
This day I choose to cast my eyes upon God and only Him. Sure, I will listen to the President’s press briefings and watch some of the news, but more, I am inquiring of my God for my response and His Will in my life. We can emerge from these difficult days with a deeper relationship with our God and a greater sense of God’s Will and Ways. Ask with me! Let’s seek His face and hear His Voice. Let’s increase our knowledge of God and witness His perfection through this time. It is ordained for us to seek and find our Beloved!
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Romans 13:1-5 NLT
Thank you John! Your messages are right on target! Lord give us ears to hear what you’re saying to each of us individually in this season, and hearts to obey!
Blessing you Paul! Thank you for the encouragement. Obedience and authority is really the call of the hour, isn’t it?! He is pressing us into it because it will bring forth greater Life and expressions of Himself. Truly it is a Life or death situation. Love you and Happy Easter Paul!
Thank you John, for your encouragement always. You have really ‘said it’ in your reply to Sandy. The eyes of Christ are on us…watching over all. Love and blessings!
In all these years, John, your voice has never been this loud…
Is it just me, or is there a sifting happening?!
My head is bowed and my ears are open… I dare not fail this test…
There may be Sandy, I will pray about it but all I can tell you is that I am taking my place in a lot of realms. This whole crisis is a shaking that is exposing cores and giving opportunity to repent, seek God and get in our position. Without the test we possibly may never find out the reality of who Christ is in us. Love you and thank you!
The Bride comes from His Realm. “Now listen, daughter, pay attention, and forget about your past. Put behind you every attachment to the familiar, even those who once were close to you!” (Ps. 45:10 TPT) “Hear, O daughter, consider, submit, and consent to my instruction: forget also your own people and your father’s house ” (Ps. 45:10 AMPC) The Lord orchestrates His message into our lives and shapes our hearts with it, for us for Him. We hear the words of it, but more, we enter the ways of it, to know His Heart. The Bride longs to know Him…He… Read more »
That is beautiful and I love the scriptures. This is a bridal issue, isn’t it?!
Love and virtual hugs…
Just what I’ve been sending that the Lord is LONGING for us to just be with Him!!
It is certainly time to seek His face, huh?!. Think three months ago, who would even think this was possible. Love you Wynona!
It takes discipline to submit to authority. I keep praying, “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”
If we just see authority as God Himself, rather than just mere men…it makes it a whole lot easier. I think your scripture is perfectly apt. Love you Alex!
These last two posts are “spot on” as an ole saying goes!!!!! I stand with you on God’s side.I CHOOSE THIS DAY TO CAST MY FOCUS ON THE ONLY TRUE GOD and be obedient to HIS word and voice for me.
“Open the eyes of my heart LORD, I want to see you”
Thank you Sue, I am real excited about these posts. They have helped me personally immensely! Perfect prayer Sue. Loving you.