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Vision and Darkness |
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When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him —Genesis 15:12 |
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| Whenever God gives a vision to a
Christian, it is as if He puts him in "the shadow of His hand" (Isaiah
49:2). The saint’s duty is to be still and listen. There is a "darkness"
that comes from too much light-that is the time to listen. The story of
Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to
so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God
to send the light. When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait.
God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you
will wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went
through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his
self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own
common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period
of God’s displeasure. There is never any need to pretend that your life is
filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him
(see Isaiah
50:10-11 ). Do I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? "I am Almighty God . . ."— El-Shaddai, the All-Powerful God (Genesis 17:1). The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is built on God. |