01/19/2025
I am exploring a thought today that I read in my devotional this morning regarding the time between the Lord calling us to service and that moment when we are actually beginning to accomplish what He has asked us to do. As I thought about what has occurred in my own life when He has called me, my sense of discovery was especially aroused by these interesting and instructional words written by Pastor Oswald Chambers regarding God’s preparing us to do what He has asked of us...
"When God gives a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will make you in accordance with the vision He has given if you will wait His time. Never try and help God fulfill His word. Abraham went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all self-sufficiency was destroyed; there was no possibility left to rely on common-sense ways. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not of displeasure." - Oswald Chambers
Waiting, even waiting on God, is so hard for us to do and is against the innate nature of most of us. People who demonstrate patience are often branded as lazy, or slow. The very idea of waiting quietly on anything is contrary to the nature of ourselves and our society. As men and women we value immediate activity towards a goal and desire nearly instant gratification in its accomplishment, but how often does our impatience result in problems? Not just in the secular world, but in faith.
The Bible is filled with descriptions of the time that follows a call, and often it is described as darkness. Listen to the account of Abram…
“And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.”
Genesis 15:12 KJV
And a the account of Isaiah written by his own hand...
“Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.”
Isaiah 50:10 KJV
In this time of preparation when God has already called us and before He leads us into the actual thing He would have us do, we are in darkness. Perhaps this helps us understand the word enlightenment better... God is preparing us physically, mentally, and spiritually for the call... he is enlightening us. The definition of this word is so revealing; it means to give spiritual knowledge or insight and has a secondary meaning of shedding light on something.
Enlightenment is an incredibly valuable part of being called by God. It is the instilling of ability and understanding beyond what we currently possess, and the affirmation that we are to be a tool of the Lord, and not the prime mover in the effort. The task is God's, and we are merely His chisel, hammer, and saw, to be used in accomplishing it.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.”
Psalm 32:8-9 ESV
Once we receive a call, it is our inclination to jump in there and lead the way, but when we try to accomplish His will in this way, we are subverting His plan and making the calling about ourselves... including the glory. Oh, we say the right words; "may God receive the glory", or "this is God's work", but all the time we are busy usurping His role, and what He is due.
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 46:10 KJV
God desires us to be still, to wait on Him, to learn to trust in Him, and by jumping right into a calling that He has revealed to us, we are not doing these things. The outcome of doing such a thing might result in our being recognized among men, but that is also our sole reward, and it is not eternal; no, it is fleeting and left behind with our final breath when we die.
“Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Matthew 6:2, 5 KJV
Where do we wish to receive our reward? Do we want to be rewarded by men for a season, or by God for eternity? Let's wait and allow Him to prepare us, and then let's follow His direction in all things associated with our calling. Sometimes others might misconstrue God's work for our own, but we should be quick to admonish them. John wrote of this, and we can read it in this verse...
“Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.”
Revelation 22:9 KJV
This is our example of giving the glory to God; lest we become convinced by the crowd that we are deserving in some way. So let’s wait, listen, be still, let God enlighten us, and then Serve Him humbly and even in secret if told to do so, but never step between God and the accomplishment of His will and the glory that is His in our calling. His is the wonder which comes to pass humbly through us when we are obedient to His call, just as our salvation and eternal relationship with God has come to fruition through the answered call of Jesus on the cross...
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 ESV
Prayer:
Holy Father, thank you for our callings, but thank you most for preparing us, enlightening us and giving us those things we need to answer the calling you have provided. Never allow us to mistake your good purposes for our own. In the darkness that precedes the work and the accomplishment of your calling, gently lead us and instruct us Lord. Give us wisdom beyond our ability, and skills beyond those we possess and are able to perform. Heavenly Father, we seek your pleasure in those things you would have us do, and not the praise and glory of men for ourselves; their glory should rightly be bestowed upon you alone. Reward us Father in heaven, and let our eyes forever be on you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who calls us then teaches us how best to obey and accomplish your will. Holy are you who is often still and who desires that we be still alongside you as we wait on you to move and lead us on… to prepare us for the job that lies ahead. Though we might suffer in answering your call, you are merciful and your grace our reward in the midst of the storm. The momentary pain, the fleeting discomfort, is made eternally magnificent in the exaltation, joy, and peace, you pour over us upon the completion of your will and our obedience... just as you did your Son Jesus Christ. Praised be your name Father!
Amen, Amen, Amen!
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:9-11 ESV
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”
2 Timothy 1:8-9 ESV
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
Rich Forbes