(April 07, 2020) Maureen McQuillan encourages …

It seems that many times in life we go through a spiritually dry period where we’re fighting difficult circumstances, sicknesses, doubts, fears, other personal troubles – and perhaps our great enemy, Satan.

The reality is that often the real problem is that we’re fighting in our own strength!

Trusting God in storms
And so we become weary spiritually, physcially,emotionally and even mentally. Much energy is expended with few satisfying results. This is when we need to recall some of the many scriptures which assure us that the Lord will fight for us – if only we will let him!  Eg –

• Exodus14:14 – ‘The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’
• Deuteronomy 1:30 – ‘The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you.’
• 2 Corinthians 10:4 – ‘The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.’

Admittedly Paul talks of fighting… but this is in respect of the ‘good fight of faith’ (1 Timothy 6:12) – not one of a personal, draining struggle, but of really relaxing by trusting God in the midst of whatever storm that we’re facing. That is to say, trusting God to bring us through whatever the storm may be, even this current covid-19 pandemic.

 In other words, when faced with difficulties, seemingly insurmountable problems or whatever, we do as scripture urges – we hand the battle over to the Lord who is stronger and wiser than us. Then, and only then we can trust him for the victory… in his timing.

Staying calm in lockdowns
The NLT puts Exodus 14:14 as ‘Just stay calm.’ Israel was in big trouble – a ‘lockdown’ situation – with their enemy the Egyptians about to  ‘get’ them. In verse 13, Moses exhorts, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you…’

Okay, that was for Israel back in Old Testament times – but they took God’s direction as given by their leaders and saw victory. We too can accept this principle in faith and see what that same loving, caring God can, will, do for us!

But… I know… it’s not always easy. We want to fight back, take over the reins again, especially if it seems that nothing is happening as quickly as we desire.  We can find it difficult, even feel uneasy and insecure in just sitting back and doing nothing.

Yet, so often this is all the Lord wants for us to do –

• Relax!
• Trust him
• Praise him
• Not get caught up in end times (eg possible end times)
• Discover what God wants us to be doing for him now in this time of ‘lockdown’
• Really enjoy the ‘now!’
• Care for and pray for others, especially leaders both national and Christian
• And – observe his mighty interceding power at work on our behalf!

No, I haven’t contradicted myself… saying ‘sitting back and doing nothing.’ My encouragement is to do so in respect of whatever we need our God to do for us – but whatever we’re ‘fighting’ we need to look beyond it, trust our Lord and see what he desires of us! And see whatever we can do for others.

Galatians 6:2-4a Message reminds us to ‘Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that…’

Not losing sight of we’re heading
Our part is to completely trust him to work ‘our matters’ out and bring about the victory. That means ‘hanging in there.’ It also means conserving energy, so much of which is wasted through needless, fruitless worrying, pressure and concern.

‘Trusting him’ means that if we are going to expend energy, we do so in focusing on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) – and not on our troubling circumstances.

I like how the Message Bible puts this verse – ‘Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God…‘

Realistically, the truth is that we can’t do much about ‘situations’ anyway – in our own strength! So let’s fully trust and praise our God instead. Victory is there – it’s a matter of relaxing, trusting our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Surrender to Jesus
The real fight is the battle to overcome our fears, doubts, insecurities, temptations, independency and wanting to act in our own strength, wisdom and knowledge. We can win the battle – by surrendering! Not to the enemy, circumstance, problem – but to Jesus.

‘Dry’ seasons will pass and the Lord will bring victory, we will see yet again his might power in action, and know afresh that he truly is in charge of our lives, circumstances and destiny!

‘Relax‘ means ‘to make or become less tense or anxious.’ In Matthew 11:28, Jesus encouraged ‘Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.’   Rest – that comes from two words indicating ‘your ease.’

Relax then… worship God, pray – and allow King Jesus to bring you through storms to many victories.

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Maureen McQuillan is a gifted, realistic communicator known for ministering practically and prophetically to people ‘where they’re at.’ Link:  connectingwithyou333@gmail.com
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