I want to be Immovable

This morning as I was reading Colossians 2, I came across verse 5:

“For though I should be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order; and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.”

Steadfast means “that which has been made firm (a fortified place); one which furnishes a foundation; on which a thing rests firmly and is supported; firmness (in a military sense: solid front); make solid, make firm, strengthen, make strong; firm, immovable, solid, rigid.” It comes from a word meaning “to stand.”

I want this word to describe me. Lately, I’ve been noticing that I tend to be moved by small things or by trivial annoyances or inconveniences. However, He has been giving me a resoluteness that it truly not of myself. Instead of getting annoyed when I am inconvenienced or when I have to do something I’d rather not do, I’ve been exhorting myself to be immovable.

I want to be able to be hit with the hardest of circumstances and not be moved. I want to hear the worst news ever and be immovable. I want to set my forehead as flint to seek Him, no matter what that means and no matter what the enemy may bring against me. Because it’s not about how I feel or what makes me comfortable or happy. It’s about HIS glory. And that’s all that matters – not my sensibilities or desires.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15: 58

“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16: 8

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55: 22

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation: He is my Defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62: 5-8

Though He has begun to form this in me, I am continually asking Him to increase it. I have it in a small measure, but oh, I want it such a greater and fuller measure! And yes, that means my circumstances or seeming “inconveniences” may get greater or harder, but I know that this is just Him refining me and purifying me, making me strong and fortified so that nothing will be able to move me! And He is forming this in me so that I can stand between the enemy and those that may be weaker and able to moved. I am clothed in Christ so that nothing can touch me. Then, I am able to stand in front of others so that the enemy cannot touch them either.

O, Lord, make me immovable.

On Letting Him Hold and Plan the Future...

      Oh, Jesus’ timing is perfect!  How often do I forget that He knows all things and that I can trust Him to bring the right circumstances together at the right time with no manipulation of them on my part? What seems really good to me at the time is often not part of my God’s perfect plan that will bring the best, the great satisfaction, or the most glory to Him. 

Oh, Lord, look at this wonderful opportunity!

Then the door closes for some reason.

          Not now, dear one, He whispers.

Oh, Jesus, surely this is of You! How could it not be? I would be serving and loving people, sharing the Gospel. If only You’d let me go!

          I have you where you are for a reason, My daughter. Trust Me. Be silent. Be still.

God, if I don’t hurry up and act on this, I’ll never have another opportunity! Maybe all the positions will fill up or it won’t present itself again!

          When it’s My timing, I will make a way. Never forget, beloved, that I am God. I hold it all together.

Some verses that He really used to convict but also comfort and encourage me tonight were:

“He preserves the way of His saints.” Proverbs 2: 8

          *Preserves means to keep, guard, protect, and pay heed to. He keeps, guards, protects, and pays heed to His purpose and plan. He will not let it slip or fall through His fingers. When it’s His timing, He will most certainly make a way. And nothing will be able to interfere with it!

“Yet in this thing you did not believe the Lord your God, Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to show you by what way you should go, and in a cloud by day.” Deuteronomy 1: 33

        *He has gone before! He knows the way, and He knows where and when the situation is supposed to come about. Take courage!

“The steps of a good man are ordered (established) by the Lord, and he delights in His way.” Psalm 37: 23

          *the word ordered (or established in some translations) is in the perfect tense, meaning it’s already done and completed. His plan and purpose for my future is already completed. He knows what you will be doing this summer, next fall, in 5 years, etc. He has is already figured out, meaning we don’t need to try to figure out our futures.

“The Lord knows the way of the righteous…” Psalms 1: 6

*The Greek translation of the Old Testament translates the word “know” as Ginosko, which is the intimate form of knowing, as in a marriage relationship. God intimately knows our futures and ways. It’s not something that He just thinks about now and again or that’s no-big-deal if it “happens” to get messed up. He intimately knows it and will care for it!

“With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” II Chronicles 32: 8

So the question now is: will we choose to manipulate our circumstances and take things into our own hands to accomplish what we think would be best? Or will we let Him fight on our behalf? Will we let Him write our life stories and make them far more beautiful than we ever could?

“It is a mercy that our lives are not left for us to plan, but that our Father chooses for us; else might we sometimes turn away from our best blessings, and put from us the choicest and loveliest gifts of  His providence.” Susannah Spurgeon