By Dianna Hobbs
diannahobbs.com
We figured it out!
There had been trash all over our backyard several mornings in a row. My husband Kenya and I wondered who (or what) was rummaging through the garbage can and leaving a mess in the yard.
Though I had seen a gray kitten hanging around, I didn’t make the connection at first.
Being that I’m highly allergic to cats, I just stayed out of its way and figured it would eventually move on to another house.
“Mommy, why is that cat over here?” the Hobbs children questioned, especially after seeing the plump feline loitering almost daily.
I had no idea why.
But then, hubby got a clue.
We have a recycling bin that sits right next to the garbage can of the exact same width and height. He guessed that this clever kitty had been jumping on top of the bin and opening the trash can, helping itself to the contents inside.
Neither Kenya nor I would have suspected anything had there not been a big mess left behind in the morning.
Mr. Hobbs wasn’t quite certain though, so he tested his theory to be sure.
He accomplished this by placing a huge and heavy stone on top of the trash can lid, which a cat couldn’t be strong enough to remove.
The next day, he went out to see the results.
No mess.
The rock was still in place.
He did this the next night… and the next.
Same outcome.
Not a trace of debris anywhere and the stone remained secure.
I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that we haven’t seen that cat anymore over the past couple days. Without being able to get what it wanted, the sneaky furry mammal kept it moving along.
Some Believers behave like that cat.
They linger around just to receive what they want from God. And when they don’t get it, poof!
They disappear.
If there are no miracles, signs and wonders resulting in the fulfillment of their personal desires, their prayer life disappears. Their worship ceases. Their loyalty to God wanes. Their faith crumbles into pieces.
Because they view God as a proverbial Santa Claus, existing to fulfill their wish list as long as they’re not naughty, but nice, His failure to respond to their longings leaves them discouraged.
Without getting their way, they cease to remain in His will.
Don’t be that way.
In Luke 6, after Jesus fed 5,000 with two fish and five loaves (verses 10-14) and walked on water (verses 16-21), the very next day, a crowd came looking for him.
But their motives for doing so were impure.
In verse 26 (Amplified Bible), Jesus said something so profound. He told them, “You have been searching for Me, not because you saw the miracles and signs but because you were fed with the loaves and were filled and satisfied.”
He then said, “Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes,” but instead, “strive and work and produce rather for the [lasting] food which endures [continually] unto life eternal.”
In other words, Jesus called them out and said, you’re chasing behind me because I have the power to fill your belly, but you ought to desire more than that. Their focus was on temporal, rather than eternal things.
Desirous of insight into how to get on track and really do the work of God, the people asked Jesus what they should be doing then.
He responded, “This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].”
I want to stop right here and zone in on a message of faith.
Friend, God wants you to believe, not because there’s more than enough food on the table, an abundance of money in the bank, or zero debt you have to pay.
No.
He desires that you have authentic faith in Him, even if the bills aren’t paid; even when you’re sick in your body; even when the prayer request hasn’t been answered; even when you don’t see your way clearly.
Still believe. Continue to trust. Don’t doubt.
Know that God is more than able, all-powerful and a worker of miracles—whether or not you have received yours yet.
You’ve got to have that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego faith. In Daniel 3, these Hebrew boys were thrown into a fiery furnace because of their loyalty to God and refusal to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image.
From the looks of things, their insubordination was about to get them killed.
Nevertheless, they believed God.
They said, our God is able to deliver us out of the fiery furnace, but even if He doesn’t, we won’t bow down.
Friend, you’ve got to have an “even if He doesn’t” kind of faith. That’s what it means to truly believe.
Here’s the good news. The same God that delivered those faith-filled Hebrew boys out of the fiery furnace, without a hair on their head being singed, is able to deliver you.
Right now, He’s testing your faith.
He wants you to trust Him when you can’t trace Him. Believe the way is made when you can’t see one. Declare that it is fixed while it is still broken. Speak healing over your body while you’re yet sick. Rejoice for your breakthrough even if you feel broken down.
Have you got a “He’s still able” praise today?
Get one in your spirit, because that’s what you need to sustain you through this process, on your way to the promise.
Your faith is what will carry you through.
To help you remember this important and fundamental truth while you’re going through, I’m stirring Hebrew 11:6 NKJV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, don’t look at what you see. Instead, place your total trust in the invisible and invincible One, who never fails.
God is ready, willing and able to bring you out. He has an amazing track record of securing victories for those who trust in His mighty power.
Only believe.
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