The God Who Speaks - April 2008

Dear reader, after laying low through all of March, I've emerged from my cave to check for signs of spring. Well, I'm not so sure, but my little church is coming to a conclusion that is helping us listen to God:

When it seems most like the enemy is attacking you, the first question is not, "What is the enemy doing?" but rather, "What is God doing?" Take a moment to think about those times when you felt most bombarded by the world, the flesh or the devil and pause to watch what God is doing above the warfare and below the radar. I think you'll see that those really intense times are God's great opportunity to relay faulty foundations or, to use the biblical metaphor, plow the soil to prepare it for sowing.

In Isaiah 28, God explains,

23 Listen and hear my voice;
pay attention and hear what I say.

24 When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually?
Does he keep on breaking up and harrowing the soil?

25 When he has leveled the surface,
does he not sow caraway and scatter cummin?
Does he not plant wheat in its place,
barley in its plot,
and spelt in its field?

26 His God instructs him
and teaches him the right way.

God is not the author of our tragedies, illnesses, quarrels and battles -- often it isn't Satan either. For example, when we say that the devil is really attacking our families right now, what is ACTUALLY going on? Probably we're just not being kind and patient with one another, right? Is that Satan? Or is it my own stubbornness? When we say the enemy is attacking my health, is it a spirit of infirmity, or should I eat less deep-fried fast food and go for more walks?

In any case, during any kind of trial period, let's be Jesus-focused rather than enemy-focused or even overly self-focused. The bigger question is what God is up to. Not, "Why are you doing this God?" but "Where is God at work in this field?" These questions might help:

1. Lord, in the midst of the swirls and tensions of my life, what are you up to?
2. Are there cracks in my foundation that you are repairing through this?
3. As my heart is being plowed again (ouch!), what seeds are you hoping to sow? What revelation is my heart being prepared to receive? What harvest might come from this season of life? Bring it!

If you know someone involved in deep trials, pray about whether this message will help or whether it'll just sound like the advice of Job's friends. If you get a go-ahead from God, please pass it on and invite them to sign up for the newsletter at www.bradjersak.com. Also, this is obviously a plug, but I honestly believe that my wife's book, RIVERS FROM EDEN, brings very deep comfort to those who need to God is with them and for them. It's also available at www.bradjersak.com/store.html

Blessings to you,

Brad Jersak