The priests who were carrying the Ark stood in the middle of the river until all of the Lord ’s commands that Moses had given to Joshua were carried out. Meanwhile, the people hurried across the riverbed. And when everyone was safely on the other side, the priests crossed over with the Ark of the Lord as the people watched. (Joshua 4:10, 11 NLT)
Bill Hybels tells a story of an experience he had after a very exciting and joyful baptism service at Willow Creek. He bumped into a woman at the stairwell crying profusely. Concerned and wondering what could be causing her to cry on such a joyful day, he asked her if she was okay. Here's what she said according to Hybels: "My mom was baptized today. I prayed for her every day for almost 20 years. The reason I’m crying is because I came this close to giving up on her. At the 5-year mark I said, “Who needs this? God isn’t listening.” At the 10-year mark I said, “Why am I wasting my breath?” At the 15-year mark I said, “This is absurd.” At the 19-year mark I said, “I’m just a fool.” But I just kept trying, kept praying. Even with weak faith I kept praying. Then she gave her life to Christ, and she was baptized today. I will never doubt the power of prayer again.”
Standing can be one the hardest parts of the faith walk. Praying, believing and standing while watching the days, months and years go by while the answer to your prayers remains out of sight can be a severely faith-testing experience. The temptation to doubt God's faithfulness and to quit increases as the time rolls by and nothing seems to be happening. In fact, things might even be looking worse than when you weren't praying. However, just as the woman's story illustrates, God's faithfulness always shines through if we continue to stand.
The priests in our text literally standing, for hours after hours in the middle of the Jordan, carrying the ark of the covenant, until all of God's word to Joshua came to pass, paint a picture of the standing scenario of faith. It can be an encouragement to weary souls to stand there lifting up the covenant word of God until everything comes to pass as he promised. Don't drop the ark before everything is done. Don't quit until his word comes to pass. Stay there. Keep standing. As Paul said,
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13 NIV)
George Mueller, the founder of the famous orphanage in Bristol England tells of how he prayed for the salvation of five friends. He prayed everyday for them. In 18 months one got saved. He did not stop. The next one got saved after 5 years of daily praying. After 6 years of praying, the third got saved. After 52 years of praying daily for their souls, Mueller died and the remaining two were still not saved, but he died believing they would be saved. And it happened as he believed. After his death, the two came to Christ.
Is there a promise God has given you that seems delayed? Are you praying for a loved one but it seems they keep getting worse? Is there an assignment God has given you that is taking so long to bear fruits ?When discouragement comes and the enemy tells you to quit, remember the picture of the priests standing with the ark uplifted unmoving until the people passed over the Jordan. Remember the woman in Hybels story. RememberGeorge Mueller, and be reminded of God's faithfulness. Be encouraged to stand and to keep standing!
Decision of the Day
I will keep standing. I will not quit.
No comments:
Post a Comment