February 28
Here We Go!
The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,
a refuge in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.
––Psalm 9:9-10, NLT
Every man who loves God will find his back against the wall.
For those who know the width, the height, the length, and the depth of his love, God will steadily test our view of Him to deliver more life in Him. We’ll find ourselves with our backs against the wall and hear questions like . . .
Are you going to trust Me?
Did I call you out of the world?
What does My Word say?
What shows love for Me?
What did Jesus model?
Have I ever failed you?
Is your future in My hands?
What have you got to lose?
Am I enough?
What is My promise to you?
Am I with you or not?
The progression from insecurity to maturity in the Father’s love and acceptance is a progression of risk. Jesus says, “Come and see. See how much I love you.” Then He says, “Come and commit. Commit to grow up and into Me—deep roots below supporting the life above ground.”
And as we live out of his love and demonstrate more open commitment, He will make a third invitation: “Come and die. Completely throw off fear and start aggressively advancing My purposes and trusting Me everywhere and in every way you possibly can.”
What does this look like? Thankfully, we have many biblical examples, including Paul, who died to his old life as a respected and powerful Pharisee. And Matthew, who walked away from Roman comfort and prestige as a tax collector for the Empire.
Fresh risks need to be taken. Old risks we took in the past have had their moment. Our view of God is being tested now, and that means we need to take new risks. Our identity is settled. Our energy is renewed. Our expression is imminent. Our King is calling us forward now.
Spiritual cliff after spiritual cliff, opportunity after opportunity to trust God will be presented to us. It is the journey of faith, and when we are with our Father and are remaining in his love, the cliffs in our lives are progressively confronted and conquered. Each time we jump off, trusting his presence and promise, God proves himself to be what he says he is—faithful.
And with each experience, the things we used to fear greatly are now more like speed bumps in our spiritual journeys—we feel them, but they don’t stop our movement forward. Why? Because we know, at the deepest level in our spirits, that God isn’t present in some things and absent in others. He is present in all things, at all times, in all circumstances, and we risk entering all of these arenas persuaded of his presence and holding fast to a promise. The deep working of love and acceptance causes our spiritual courage to rise as God says, “Go ahead. I am with you.”
God is calling you to RISK in specific ways that involve four key characteristics:
Right views of God
A settled identity
A sacrificial mindset
Kingdom faith
What’s the next step for you?
Lord, sometimes it’s confusing to discern Your will. What is the next step You want me to take toward a deeper faith?