Today we are going to be considering how to relate with the Holy
Spirit in what He is doing or allowing for our good that we do not
understand. Because our perspective is often determined and shaped by
what is immediately profitable, we always do not see the bigger picture
in what God is attempting to bring about in our lives by what He allows
to happen at different times. The perspective of God is determined and
shaped by the total picture of what He knows to be good for our total
well-being, from this temporal state of being, to the eternal state of
being.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God orchestrates events to
happen to us that we may sometimes not like, but which He knows will
ultimately serve His perfect will for our lives. These are hard knock
dealings that sometimes leave us reeling in pain, and we wonder why God
is doing nothing to free us from such distresses. Is He not the loving
God who has promised not to withhold any good thing from us? So why is
He silently watching this happen to us? Is He enjoying our pain?
The apostle Paul once found himself in such a position, and he cried
out to God for help, but he didn't receive the kind of help he had hoped
for. "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of
the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of
Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this
thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is
made perfect in your weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast
in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2
Corinthians 12:7-9.
Notice that Paul pleaded with the Lord three times for the removal of
what was certainly from the devil, but strangely God didn't remove this
thing that was clearly a messenger of Satan, rather, He tells Paul, "My
grace is sufficient for you, My strength is made perfect in your
weakness." What do you think would have happened if after the Lord had
given this response to Paul and he continued to ask God to remove those
thorns from him? You are right, he would have been left to himself. How
sadly that many of us are on our own because we want to have things our
own way, and since the Holy Spirit does not serve us, but the will of
God, at such times, He will simply ignore us.
This is not good for our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Paul,
because of the value he had for his relationship with the Holy Spirit,
responded positively to Him thus, "Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I
am weak, then I am strong." If we don't know or understand what God may
be doing in those things He is doing or allowing, we can ask, Lord,
what are you doing? And once He speaks to us, like Paul, we must
positively respond.
Toni
