We Walk By Faith
And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. Exodus 33:14-15
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
God hides His presence from His people not because He is necessarily angry with them or that they have sinned grossly. Although sin does cause God to turn away His face from some people like He did from King Saul and others. But God’s hides His face so that His people would walk by faith and not by sight and not by their feelings and emotions. For God is God no matter what they feel or go through. His presence is with His people at all times as His word is true:
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
God will never leave, fail nor forsake His people as He loves them so much and they are dear to Him. It’s they who leave Him and not the reverse. That is why the word of God is full of admonitions for His people to return to Him or to draw close to Him and to resist the devil who would separate them from their God, Creator and Friend and obnoxious sins that steal God’s glory.
Sins, such as arrogance and pride, do more damage in the lives of God’s people than men realize. Why some are even proud of their humility or others of their foolish doctrines which they elevate above God’s voice, presence and word. As a result the anointing leaves their ministry or lives and men operate and live with out the power of God and wonder why things are so futile or so hard to do.
But the other fact of the matter is that feelings have nothing to do with the reality of what is happening in the spiritual realm. The senses of touch, smell and taste are just that senses. They are not the basis of spiritual realm nor spiritual truth. God’s word and His Holy Spirit are the basis of the spiritual realm and all spiritual truth.
Unfortunately for some senses are like rose colored glasses they distort and disfigure the spiritual truths as people look to see what they want to see or presume. But God’s truth revealed by His Holy Spirit is truth which remains for ever including:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Feelings are a difficult thing to get past sometimes and be bleak circumstances lie about who God really is at all times. He is the Creator, the Rainbow Maker, the Promise Keeper, the Way Maker, the Redeemer and Friend to all who trust in Him. He does not lie and keep His promises! His true ones can expect Him to do it because He is doing it. The road for them is full of promise because them who have trusted in Him who is their Creator.
Others trust in so called Christian leaders and preachers who hold their live “hostages” to the half-truths which these deceived ones proclaim are truth and then force their theology down the throats of their followers making them “worse sons of hell than themselves.
Where is the justice? Where is the truth? Where is the release and final peace in all this? Why do men have to wait for what is their birthright if they truly follow the “truth of the Lord?” They are robbed by those who lead them into untruth and disbelief. Aren’t those who teach untruth or half-truths thieves of a different sort?
Yes, they are thieves and they rape their victims by draining them of their finances, resources, individuality; and, purpose and calling of God. Their victims are a clone of their teacher and not “sent out” independent disciple of Jesus. They have been striped of their gifts, abilities and service to the Lord. They have been “raped!”
Can death precede the eradication of one’s direction and purpose for God. Yes, because without purpose man has no sense of why he is on the earth and for what purpose, and the result is “spiritual death” and finally premature “physical death.” For God has made us to live according to His purpose for our lives and not the fake purpose man creates for us.
If we are told to “go to church” because it’s good for our souls this is a violation of our calling before God because He is the One who should determine where we should go and what we should become and not our teachers or leaders around us, in church or anywhere else. Our direction should come from the Lord. Our teacher’s soul purpose is to prepare us to “listen to His Voice and do what He commands us to do with our lives because we are His only.”
Yet, many would tell you how to live life. Where to go and what to do with it and they would never have touched God’s true intentions and direction for your existence. Few men can ever know this because few are in tune with His Person and His Voice.
Men must walk in the very “Voice” of their Creator and follow only what He directs. They must learn this just as a child learns to crawl and finally walk upright. We must learn to walk ‘upright’ before the Lord and obediently follow the “Master’s Voice.” There is no exception to this rule. Without it we are “deaf, dump and blind.” We walk in our “flesh” and call ourselves “highly spiritual” and though we don’t say it we are certain “we have arrived spiritually.”
Oh, that this were true but the only way we could possibly “arrive” at all, is to remain very humble before the Lord and obey only His sweet Voice in our spirits. May it become a reality for all those who are seeking His singular Will for their lives. That they may “see” beyond the traditions and teachings they have received and cut through it to a place of true spirituality!
But from the false ones and true ones God does His face from them for His word is true:
How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:1-2
Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. Psalm 27:9
These all wait for You, That You may give them their food in due season. What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth. Psalm 104:27-30
God is a God who hides himself on many occasions even from His own people and servants. But always for their good as the Sun is always shinning behind the dark clouds. Even though it seems God has forgotten their misery and oppression.
But God is pleased when His true sons and daughters are faithful only to Him when all is dark and cold and distant. Hanging on with all their soul and life and trusting God to come through for them. To be, do and give all that He has promised to be especially in times when there is no conscious presence of God, no visible means of support, no tangible way to see the Lord meeting their needs and causing them to state:
Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:17-19
For God is God just as much in the night as He is in the light. He is God of the hills but also He is God of the valleys. As a matter of fact He is God all the time and Mr. Integrity. He doesn’t change His word nor His character. He is true, steadfast, faithful, just and full of equity and mercy as well as compassion. He is not far from each one of us for in Him we live and move and have our being and we are also His offspring.
God is there all the time in our lives and in our hearts. Just because we cannot see Him nor feel him does not mean that He is not present. He is with us all the time! His word is true:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20
Feelings and sight have nothing to do with the matter was to whether God is near or whether we are to obey His commandments to us. Including going and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that Jesus has commanded us.
Yes! God is with us always even to the end of the age but Christian maturity is not usually developed in the sunshine of God’s love but in dark and dangerous times. For Christian maturity is when others around you don’t have faith and you are not moved by their lack of belief. You believe in God.
You believe in God when the day is dark and the tunnel is black. Believe when the way is not clear and the storm is rolling in great waves, crashing on your shorelines. Then you will know if your house will stand. If you have built it on the Rock which is Christ Jesus. On the rock which doesn’t move, doesn’t change, doesn’t stop and will continue on into eternity because Jesus Christ is the Word who will never fail.
So we can stand on the Rock and trust God to deliver us no matter what we are going through or what circumstance we face. For after all He is the great Deliverer and Miracle Worker. For He s the God who gives songs in the night, is merciful and full of compassion and His word is true:
I cried out to God with my voice- To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search. Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah
And I said, "This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds. Psalm 77:1-12
Trials and disappointments will come and no one who is one of God’s true children is exempt from them. It is all part of the process of entering into the kingdom of God. As God’s word is true:
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:4-10
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, Philippians 1:29
Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3
We are not to be unsettled by the trials and testing of life and even though at the time it is painful and unsettling. However, it does produces a rich harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it in due season. Also we can take comfort in the fact that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.
We can also take comfort that God is a Good God after every storm, affliction and suffering is faithful and true and will bless His own just like He did for Joseph and Job for God’s word is true:
Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5
"And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him "and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Acts 7:9-10
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11
The God who delivered Joseph would of all his troubles gave him favor and wisdom in the eyes of Pharaoh king of Egypt is still alive today. The God who restored and gave Job twice as much as he had before.
The God who blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning in material wealth and length and quality of days has not changed. He is no respecter of persons and does not show partiality to anyone and He can and will do the same for all those who trust only in Him no matter what they are going through
And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. Exodus 33:14-15
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
God hides His presence from His people not because He is necessarily angry with them or that they have sinned grossly. Although sin does cause God to turn away His face from some people like He did from King Saul and others. But God’s hides His face so that His people would walk by faith and not by sight and not by their feelings and emotions. For God is God no matter what they feel or go through. His presence is with His people at all times as His word is true:
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
God will never leave, fail nor forsake His people as He loves them so much and they are dear to Him. It’s they who leave Him and not the reverse. That is why the word of God is full of admonitions for His people to return to Him or to draw close to Him and to resist the devil who would separate them from their God, Creator and Friend and obnoxious sins that steal God’s glory.
Sins, such as arrogance and pride, do more damage in the lives of God’s people than men realize. Why some are even proud of their humility or others of their foolish doctrines which they elevate above God’s voice, presence and word. As a result the anointing leaves their ministry or lives and men operate and live with out the power of God and wonder why things are so futile or so hard to do.
But the other fact of the matter is that feelings have nothing to do with the reality of what is happening in the spiritual realm. The senses of touch, smell and taste are just that senses. They are not the basis of spiritual realm nor spiritual truth. God’s word and His Holy Spirit are the basis of the spiritual realm and all spiritual truth.
Unfortunately for some senses are like rose colored glasses they distort and disfigure the spiritual truths as people look to see what they want to see or presume. But God’s truth revealed by His Holy Spirit is truth which remains for ever including:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Feelings are a difficult thing to get past sometimes and be bleak circumstances lie about who God really is at all times. He is the Creator, the Rainbow Maker, the Promise Keeper, the Way Maker, the Redeemer and Friend to all who trust in Him. He does not lie and keep His promises! His true ones can expect Him to do it because He is doing it. The road for them is full of promise because them who have trusted in Him who is their Creator.
Others trust in so called Christian leaders and preachers who hold their live “hostages” to the half-truths which these deceived ones proclaim are truth and then force their theology down the throats of their followers making them “worse sons of hell than themselves.
Where is the justice? Where is the truth? Where is the release and final peace in all this? Why do men have to wait for what is their birthright if they truly follow the “truth of the Lord?” They are robbed by those who lead them into untruth and disbelief. Aren’t those who teach untruth or half-truths thieves of a different sort?
Yes, they are thieves and they rape their victims by draining them of their finances, resources, individuality; and, purpose and calling of God. Their victims are a clone of their teacher and not “sent out” independent disciple of Jesus. They have been striped of their gifts, abilities and service to the Lord. They have been “raped!”
Can death precede the eradication of one’s direction and purpose for God. Yes, because without purpose man has no sense of why he is on the earth and for what purpose, and the result is “spiritual death” and finally premature “physical death.” For God has made us to live according to His purpose for our lives and not the fake purpose man creates for us.
If we are told to “go to church” because it’s good for our souls this is a violation of our calling before God because He is the One who should determine where we should go and what we should become and not our teachers or leaders around us, in church or anywhere else. Our direction should come from the Lord. Our teacher’s soul purpose is to prepare us to “listen to His Voice and do what He commands us to do with our lives because we are His only.”
Yet, many would tell you how to live life. Where to go and what to do with it and they would never have touched God’s true intentions and direction for your existence. Few men can ever know this because few are in tune with His Person and His Voice.
Men must walk in the very “Voice” of their Creator and follow only what He directs. They must learn this just as a child learns to crawl and finally walk upright. We must learn to walk ‘upright’ before the Lord and obediently follow the “Master’s Voice.” There is no exception to this rule. Without it we are “deaf, dump and blind.” We walk in our “flesh” and call ourselves “highly spiritual” and though we don’t say it we are certain “we have arrived spiritually.”
Oh, that this were true but the only way we could possibly “arrive” at all, is to remain very humble before the Lord and obey only His sweet Voice in our spirits. May it become a reality for all those who are seeking His singular Will for their lives. That they may “see” beyond the traditions and teachings they have received and cut through it to a place of true spirituality!
But from the false ones and true ones God does His face from them for His word is true:
How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:1-2
Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. Psalm 27:9
These all wait for You, That You may give them their food in due season. What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth. Psalm 104:27-30
God is a God who hides himself on many occasions even from His own people and servants. But always for their good as the Sun is always shinning behind the dark clouds. Even though it seems God has forgotten their misery and oppression.
But God is pleased when His true sons and daughters are faithful only to Him when all is dark and cold and distant. Hanging on with all their soul and life and trusting God to come through for them. To be, do and give all that He has promised to be especially in times when there is no conscious presence of God, no visible means of support, no tangible way to see the Lord meeting their needs and causing them to state:
Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:17-19
For God is God just as much in the night as He is in the light. He is God of the hills but also He is God of the valleys. As a matter of fact He is God all the time and Mr. Integrity. He doesn’t change His word nor His character. He is true, steadfast, faithful, just and full of equity and mercy as well as compassion. He is not far from each one of us for in Him we live and move and have our being and we are also His offspring.
God is there all the time in our lives and in our hearts. Just because we cannot see Him nor feel him does not mean that He is not present. He is with us all the time! His word is true:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20
Feelings and sight have nothing to do with the matter was to whether God is near or whether we are to obey His commandments to us. Including going and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that Jesus has commanded us.
Yes! God is with us always even to the end of the age but Christian maturity is not usually developed in the sunshine of God’s love but in dark and dangerous times. For Christian maturity is when others around you don’t have faith and you are not moved by their lack of belief. You believe in God.
You believe in God when the day is dark and the tunnel is black. Believe when the way is not clear and the storm is rolling in great waves, crashing on your shorelines. Then you will know if your house will stand. If you have built it on the Rock which is Christ Jesus. On the rock which doesn’t move, doesn’t change, doesn’t stop and will continue on into eternity because Jesus Christ is the Word who will never fail.
So we can stand on the Rock and trust God to deliver us no matter what we are going through or what circumstance we face. For after all He is the great Deliverer and Miracle Worker. For He s the God who gives songs in the night, is merciful and full of compassion and His word is true:
I cried out to God with my voice- To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah
You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search. Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah
And I said, "This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds. Psalm 77:1-12
Trials and disappointments will come and no one who is one of God’s true children is exempt from them. It is all part of the process of entering into the kingdom of God. As God’s word is true:
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:4-10
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, Philippians 1:29
Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3
We are not to be unsettled by the trials and testing of life and even though at the time it is painful and unsettling. However, it does produces a rich harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it in due season. Also we can take comfort in the fact that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.
We can also take comfort that God is a Good God after every storm, affliction and suffering is faithful and true and will bless His own just like He did for Joseph and Job for God’s word is true:
Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:4-5
"And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him "and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Acts 7:9-10
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11
The God who delivered Joseph would of all his troubles gave him favor and wisdom in the eyes of Pharaoh king of Egypt is still alive today. The God who restored and gave Job twice as much as he had before.
The God who blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning in material wealth and length and quality of days has not changed. He is no respecter of persons and does not show partiality to anyone and He can and will do the same for all those who trust only in Him no matter what they are going through
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