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Isaiah 24:15
Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires.
When my husband and I were planning our wedding, Ryan’s constant prayer was that God would be glorified both in our wedding and in our marriage. I remember reminding him of that prayer when I was in the hospital.
Immediately after I became paralyzed, I was keenly aware that my responses were being closely watched. My biggest concern was that people would mistakenly become angry with God. I was so aware that I was His very real representative and that my response would either reflect His true character and bring Him honor, or reflect my own flesh and make it harder for others to see Him for who He is.
Most of us have been taught our whole Christian lives that we are Christ’s representatives on Earth, but it is even more magnified in the fires of trials and suffering. Jesus said that we would all face tribulation. I think it’s because in God’s economy tribulation gets a lot of bang for the spiritual buck. Most people understand the whole refining idea. The other side of the benefit is that, if we cooperate with the process, it gives God a chance to show Himself for who He really is while everyone is watching.
If, while we are in the fire, we realize the opportunity we have to give God glory we will understand that it is an honor to know and serve such a wonderful God and we’ll be less likely to slip into self pity. Tribulation will come. Will He get glory from your response?
My big jobs of the day were to pay bills and do a conference call with my sons teachers. These have to be among my least favorite things! By the time the call was over, I just put my head down and thought, “I can’t do another thing without worshipping God!” So, I went to Pandora.com. (I am so thankful for technology!) and clicked on my Jason Upton channel. The first song was Psalm 62 by Shane and Shane. It’s all about resting on Him. I felt my whole being sigh in relief to be in His arm again.
I want to always have a low tolerance for doing “stuff” (even the good stuff) and a high need for Him. God likes it when we realize our extreme neediness and fall into His arms often. If we are able to go very far without really connecting to God, we are likely to starve ourselves without even realizing it.
To be in His presence is to be filled with true life that living in this world drains from us. So today stop and remember to breathe in His life giving love. Everything else is like exhaling.
5My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.
6He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved.
7With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God!
8Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
