I’m going to start by sharing a vision that a friend shared with me recently. I saw myself and others as this was shared.
The vision was of a huge black pit. There were many people in the pit, some up to their ankles, some to their knees, some to their waists, some to their neck. Some were actually going under the thick, dark liquid, and then their heads would pop back up. There were also some sort of "snake-like" things that would reach out and grab a hold of the people and draw them further into the pit. As the vision was being shared, it was realized that this was a tar pit. It seemed like the more that the people struggled to get out of the pit, the deeper they were sucked down into it.
As I meditated on this, I kept hearing the following "let us lay aside the sin that so easily besets us:
Heb. 12:1 - "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,"
As I read this, I realize that the term: LET US implies that we have a choice in the matter. Let means to allow or permit. We can hold onto, or let go of the things that are causing us problems– i.e. our past, our health, the circumstances that are surrounding us. Not that these things aren’t important, but that we don’t have the luxury of fixating on them.
For some reason, it seems very easy to be sucked into that pit, and very difficult to get out of it.
Our part is to "will and to do." Even though we may be willing, without the power of God at work in our lives, we will not be able to do. But it is God (Phil. 2:13) who is at work in us both to will and to do His good pleasure. There is really nothing that we can do in our own effort to get out of the pit.
Which so easily ensnares us.
The thought is one of a competitor thwarting a racer in every direction.LET US
: Run - we can’t afford to sit or stand still. We will only slide back down into the tar pit. We must keep moving forward, out of the pit.
ENDURANCE
- Patience, cheerful endurance, a constancy. In other words we need to be consistent in our running. We’re in a marathon, not in a sprint. We need to learn to pace ourselves so we don’t grow weary and give up.So my next question to God was, okay - how do we do that Lord? I want to, and I know my friends want to, so how do we lay aside these things, and run with endurance the race set before us?
I’m so grateful that when God gives us direction in His word that He usually gives us the how to as well. In this case it’s verse 2 of Heb. 12:
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Do we see the joy set before us? Jer 29:11 tells us, "For I know the thought that I think toward you,
says the Lord, thoughts of peace (Shalom - health, prosperity, favor) and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Do we see the future–eternity with the Lord, and with His family. A hope that the "troubles" we find ourselves in today are, in terms of eternity, light and momentary. (2 Cor 4:17)Back to the vision of the tar pit–
As we who are in the pit look to Jesus–cry out to Him, He hears our prayers and looks on us. In Rev. 1:12 & 16 Jesus is described as having eyes that are a flame of fire.
FIRE
- Melts the tar and makes it easier for us to move. As His gaze melts the tar–we are able to tread on the "snakes" and come out of the pit. With His eyes, He literally will "blaze" a trail out of the pit for us.Ps. 32:8 - says that, "I (the Lord) will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye."
If we are focused on Him, we will see where His eye is guiding us, and we will not only be able to escape the tar pit now, we will be able to avoid the tar pit in the future.
Zech. 3:17 says that He sings and rejoices over us with joy. I have found that the songs that the Lord sings over us are songs of deliverance. Ps. 32:7 says, "You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.
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Originally Posted by Jovitah
My dear brother in Christ: May the God of all peace continue to cover you! I still have many hills to climb, but I'm striving everyday, and your message, gave me a lifeline!! Thank you, and please keep me in prayer! Your sister in Christ! "Jovitah"!!!
"IN THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD'S LOVE.. GRACE.. AND MERCY"!!! |