Have you ever been reading the Word, and even though you’re reading an account of something completely unlike your life, God uses a portion of it…even a couple of words to speak to you? I mean, one of those times when the words seem to glow and resonate loudly through your head…
I had just such an experience today.
Let me preface this by saying…The scripture surrounding these words, was originally written in a very different context, but in a way that only the Living Word can do, God highlighted the words separately to me and in a second, I had a full vision of how it applied to my life. It’s so amazing when He does that. Yet, I still had a choice…would I receive the Word, or would I look at the scripture surrounding it and say, “This isn’t for me. I can’t take this out of context.”
Do I trust the Voice of God in my heart and mind?
Yes…yes, I do.
These are the moments that mark my life…the willingness to simply believe Him…without my having to qualify what He’s said. Oh, how I hope that you do too!
If I hear, see, or think something that feels like God, I hold it out and ask, “Is this within the character of God?” If the answer is yes, then I believe it.
You must be very curious about what I read…let’s read the full verse first, then I’ll tell you what was on fire for me today.
He swore an oath in the name of the One Who lives forever and ever, Who created the heavens and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it. He said, “There will be no more delay. When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets.” Revelation 10:6-7
As I read over this prophecy of the end times, I came across the quote, “There will be no more delay.” And it was like a bell rung in my heart. The words became bright and I paused and gasped. God was speaking to me.
For months, and even years now, I’ve been praying that all delay would be removed from our lives. I have felt the delay so many times. I wondered about it. I have prayed about it. I have searched my life and heart to repent for anything within me that would be causing delay. At the end of the day, I wasn’t causing delay. God was allowing it. But why?
I now see that without the delay we’ve experienced, we’d be far less likely to have come to the place spiritually, emotionally, and relationally that we have come to now.
Chris and I, individually and within our marriage, have been forged in the fire. God has been creating something stronger. I can only imagine that it is exactly what we will need in order to move into the full glory of His calling in our lives and marriage. Our family has been forged in the fire, both individually and together…and what has emerged is we are an extremely tight unit, my children are confident…both in who they are, in our family unit, and in God and His constant care and provision.
We have emerged from the flames as a solid and unbreakable unit. He’s sealed His promises on our hearts with fire.
Now we stand with a fierceness and conviction that is unwavering.
I care not what anyone else says or thinks. We will follow God.
We’ve come a long way…and now He speaks, “There will be no more delay.”
365 Days in the Presence 