MORE

The Lord has blessed some thoughts to my mind from a message I heard Sunday, and I thought it might be good to share them -- along with some other thoughts God has given me recently.

Life is a complicated thing. Sometimes the road is easier than others, but sometimes it feels like nothing goes our way and everyone is against us. As saints, we have a promise that God is with us even in the most difficult times. Deuteronomy 31:8 says "And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." We can't allow the enemy to steal that promise.

Yet, despite knowing that, there are times in our life that FEEL as if we are alone. There are places where we feel insufficient in ourselves to deal with problems that come our way. God intends for us to grow in Him and be better prepared for those times. He's promised that He is with us, and won't leave us, but we have a part to do as well. We can't limit ourselves from the strength and power God has for us as weapons to ward off those attacks of the enemy, so we have to learn how to obtain and maintain them.

II Kings 13:14-19 contains the story of Joash, who approached Elisha as he was coming to the end of his life. This was a wise choice by the king... Elisha was a faithful man of God who had a part in many incredible things of the Lord. Elisha began to instruct Joash of some things. Verse 18 reads: "And he (Elisha) said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed." Joash relied on his own thinking here to smite the ground as many times as he thought was necessary. Certainly, he decided that was sufficient, and enough of what God and Elisha required of him. But verse 19 is evidence that was not the case. "And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice." I don't claim to have all the answers for God's anger here. But, I know this much: Joash limited himself. He already knew that these things with the bow and arrow were dealing with conquering the Syrian's and the Lord's deliverance. Elisha's command to strike the ground with the arrow was emblematic of implementing the promise of deliverance. Striking it only thrice and then staying is perhaps indicative of Joash's lack of zeal for those things. He didn't get more.

How easy is it to shortchange ourselves from what God is willing to give us? Joash severely limited himself (and the kingdom). Circumstances come in which we could get more growth, more strength, and more maturity. God doesn't want us to be a stagnant people. He doesn't want us stuck in a rut of complacency. Being relaxed without moving forward is a dangerous game. Life isn't intended to stay the same; positive growth is an imperative part of Christian living. More from God is only gained by giving more to Him of our life. Joash lacked zeal, and we have to prove to God that we are commited and giving all we have to get the blessings God intends for us when we are given opportunity. In everything we do, we ought to seek for more of God.

Ephesians 3:20 reads: "Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." God is able to give us more. If we are diligent in asking and pleading for it, He is definitely there to give, and capable of giving us, more. It can be a greater measure of victory. A greater measure of patience. A greater measure of humility. A greater measure of anything. In fact, His power is WITHOUT measure. It is limitless. The only limits placed on God's power and grace are positioned there by us. By our unwillingness to simply obey and work for more. God will do just as much for us as we will let Him do in us. Keep beating the ground. That moves God on His throne and allows us to get more from Him. More is available. Seek after it.

This is a personal desire of mine. I know there are plenty of areas where I am lacking. I know that asking for more means change, but the change is positive. I want to be changed a little each day. Every test and trial can have a positive or negative impact on our spiritual walk, but that also means each one is a chance to learn and grow more. I am determined to try my best to get the victory and learn the proper lesson in every trial. If God can move a mountain with faith like a grain of mustard seed, I wonder what He could do with me. I know he can move me to higher ground and to a steadier, safer walk with Him. That is what I long for.

I know God is able to help me in this. Colossians 1:12 reads "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." I can be strengthened with ALL might, according to God's power. That is a wonderful and precious promise. I can have the power unto all patience, longsuffering with joyfulness -- essentially all the areas I need to move up in. The MORE that I need is supplied by God. I'm very thankful for God's special attention to me and His faithfulness to teach and perfect my heart.

Keep encouraged!