Have you ever prayed about a situation, and it worked out in your favor? Can you remember the sigh of relief - the burden being lifted? God had answered the prayer to the very minuscule detail. You praised God like never before. There was a Hallelujah in your spirit, but then things took a turn for the worst - now what?
The answered prayer was the result of seeking the Lord with your whole heart. Who knows with every victory there is also the aftermath of the battle - which leaves you vulnerable.
Elijah defeated 450 prophets of Baal, but then hid in a cave when Jezebel sought to take his life. While Elijah was on the mountain, he had great faith and believed the Lord would do what he asked. God answered Elijah and set fire to the offering. A great triumph that turned hearts back to God (1Kings 18-19).
After the victory, Elijah was uncertain what to do. Elijah was an anointed prophet who carried the spirit of God. He spoke with authority when he prayed, and God answered him. Yet, Elijah was just a man.
After a victory of great magnitude, God wants us to remember that He Is - the one who brought us out of Egypt, who delivered and set us free, and the one who answered the prayer. We are simply His vessels. We must learn to trust Him because He is the ultimate decision-maker in every circumstance good or bad.
When the situation begins to change, we need to have the same determination displayed while fasting and laboring for the answer. This submission before God is particularly important once the prayer has been answered. It is at this point that we need Him most because the enemy doesn’t like it when we are victorious.
The Bible says, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 8-9). Sometimes our emotions will seem to overtake us. We may become like the wind or a wave going back and forth. But take heart that we don’t have to exist without direction. We can be steadfast in what we believe and stand on the word of God despite the circumstances.
Having the right posture will aid in our ability to be content. Joy is that attitude that doesn’t change. Happiness is an emotion that fluctuates by the moment, but joy will keep us connected to the true living vine. The one who gives life and keeps us. Our God who sustains us. If we remain in Him, then we can bear good fruit and live a life full of substance - even when we undergo pruning because we are connected to the source of everything good.
So family know that there will be victories and there will be aftermath. However, once you are truly connected to the vine there is nothing that this world can do. The true living vine has overcome the world.
The Katrice Factor
Kommentare