Thoughts for another day

May 10, 2012

Today's verse: Mt. 13:11. He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

A man I know was deeply touched by the Lord in 2001.  He understood his life was to give the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  He left his secular pursuit of livelihood and engaged in deeper study of the Bible, the Fount through which God's wisdom is poured into us, and also waited upon the Lord in prayer and fasting.  To ensure he'd follow in His pursuit, God sent him a sickness which, though quite hurting was also moderated by God. After few years the man felt he wasn't used much by the Lord and besides, his financial situation was pretty bad, so under God's guidance he took up a job while continuing in prayer and fasting; going wherever he was called to share God's Word and counseling people.  He experienced a no. of torments from people close to him and surprisingly, even from people who purportedly served God.  His colleagues too were a source of dismay to him.  Day and night this man prayed to God to show him the light but nothing!  Having worked a few years, he again decided to leave, to run a business which would help in keeping him close to God, and to run it according to what he knew to be God's way. Even in this, he has no success and is struggling with his bills. But rather than be defeated, he is yet more confident of God, able to see His hand in various phases in his life, even before 2001 and firmly believes God will deliver miraculously! 

What's more important than what he did are the realities of the mysteries of God this man got from Him; realities hidden to all but a few and he gratefully acknowledges this and profusely thanks God for choosing him. He learnt he's under trial and waits; realizing God always strengthens him in need and understands Paul saying to the Corinthians, 'But when you're tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.'  Many things in the Word of God, hidden to man are open to him, moving him to primarily ignore the natural and see the Spiritual, like Elisha. He realizes now why God says, 'I am a jealous God.'  And things like Bartimaeus, a blind ignorant beggar, calling Jesus, 'Son of David' even though the learned Pharisees and scribes doubted His antecedents though He knew Scripture so well.  Jesus has opened his eyes to see why He walked on water and why He cursed the fig tree – this knowledge he realizes goes far beyond the obvious and other ways that many display, vitiating God's reason for them.  He understands better God's plan for him and that He alone will stand at the top of the pit in which he is and raise him up by His Word.  Knowing God deeper, he trusts Him fully.  He is eager to be spent for God's work and stands firmly on The Word, with the knowledge that the light at the end of the tunnel is near.

This is his story. Perhaps it resonates with yours; question yourself, has the experience deflated you or made you strong in God.  Are your thoughts on heavenly things and not on things of the earth? Are you willing to go the whole way with Him even bearing the Cross He has given?  If you are, well, you're another sojourner on the Pilgrim Road.  It is narrow but honestly, it is good.