As many prepare to enter the promises of God, they find themselves in the ‘land of contradiction;’ a place of undeniable difficulty and hardship. They have heard the promises of prophetic victory; sensed the season of blessing and favor, yet remain bound by uncommonly difficult circumstances. Natural eyes focused upon natural understanding – seeking God’s favor, asking, searching, even blaming…coming to the end of themselves, grumbling and complaining. Deliverance is their cry; they remain parched and dry, screaming why, why, why? They seek answers and there are none! How many laps must we make around the same mountain? Should we continue to seek deliverance, or perhaps ‘awaken’ to something far more valuable?
“He that bumps his head upon the same gate has yet to realize it ain’t open” – Author Unknown. Is there a key to this invisible gate? Unequivocally yes! If the key is not in one place (the natural), it rest securely in another (the supernatural). God’s wisdom unlocks the gate, while man’s reasoning hides the key – bump! bump! bump!
Often there is no outward physical victory until there is inward (spiritual) development – the natural eyes must close as the spiritual eye opens. Events can trigger the opening of the spiritual eye for a man who has ears to hear…His sheep hear His voice. “God allows in His wisdom what He could have prevented in His power” – Arthur Burt. Wisdom is more precious than favor – it travels into eternity; favor does not. Seek His wisdom more than His favor – wisdom ‘gained’ brings the favor sought and offers eternal consequences. Eternal wisdom diminishes the stresses of this world.
TRIALS ARE LINKED TO GOD’S WISDOM. James Chapter 1: 2-6 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops patience. Let patience have her perfect work that you may be perfected and entire (mature and complete) WANTING NOTHING. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.”
Adversity is a great source of revelation (Acts 14:22). But, do we embrace it or reject it? Hardship is our training center; difficultly our teacher. Problems guard power, but are we gleaning or complaining? Impartation and change is the result of gleaning; delay and failure the result of complaining ( 1 Corinthians 10:10-12.)
God’s greatest wisdom comes in times of difficulty. David said, “Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part you will make me know wisdom” (Psalm 51:6). Paul said, “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages of our glory” (1 Corinthians 2: 6, 7). Learning to be with God in adversity increases spiritual wisdom, but we must ask (seek) for it to be released. Foolish men are those who see no need for it! They continue in their cries for deliverance!
Complaining about circumstances will negate the anointing and blessing of God, and lead to a fall. It will stop the hand of God like few other actions. It is ranked in New Testament teaching with idolatry, sexual immorality, and testing the Lord, and listed as one of five reasons the children of Israel DID NOT ENTER the Promised Land. Complaining is proof that spiritual wisdom is absent, as the key to the gate remains hidden!
Circumstances don’t make the man; they reveal him to himself. Are we looking upon the outward appearance? Are we judging by what we see and hear (Isaiah 11:2, 3/2 Corinthians 10: 3-7). Circumstances are not the problem; our perspective of circumstances is often the problem. How is the Kingdom revealed (Acts 14:22)? In the paradoxical Kingdom there is always a positive overlapping the negative. Said differently, all negatives in the natural (sphere) contain positives in the spiritual realm. There are two things happening at once, but do we only see one? Are we seeking His wisdom (bountifully available to us) during difficult times, or simply seeking deliverance? Don’t waste your trials – you are on the cusp of a breakthrough, but you must go deeper with Him – open your spiritual eye, allow your inner man to develop, and enter the place of abiding. Revelation of God’s purpose in trials is to release of His wisdom – THIS IS YOUR KEY! Unlock the gate and walk through – your inheritance is upon you!
Clay Sikes
www.lighthouseprophecy.com