“Where is he? He left a note and said he would work it all out. But it’s been so long, and I have seen nothing change.” We probably know someone making this kind of statement about what’s happened this year. “Where is God? He left a note (the Bible) and promised He causes all things to work together for good (Ro 8:28). This isn’t a new situation. Elijah complained to God, I am the only one left (1 Kg 19:10 NIV). But Obadiah who also feared theLord took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water (1Ki 18:4). When the Lord charged Elijah at the cave, He told him, I still have left in Israel 7,000 followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him (1 Kg 19:18 NET). Even as a great prophet, Elijah didn’t know all God was doing that he couldn’t see.
One vivid illustration happened when Elisha’s servant went out one morning and saw the city surrounded by Aramean armies. He panicked, running to Elisha “Alas, my master! What shall we do” (2 Kg 6:15)? Elisha calmly explained he hadn’t seen everything and prayed the Lord would open his eyes. The Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (v17). The lesson: we don’t always see what God has done or is doing in our situation.
In my last full-time pastorate, the church performed a drama that lasted for months with over 10,000 signing commitment cards proclaiming they had received Christ. My job was overseeing all that was happening—at the entrance, in the audience, and behind the scenes. I knew four times as many people were working in the background arranging what happened on the stage and what the audience saw. No one was aware of the vast amount of activities taking place behind the scenery and props on the stage. Today, the world stage may look like a horror drama, but we don’t know all that God is doing beyond our perceptions to bring a beautiful conclusion.
The devil uses the media to show all the bad that is happening. Yet, a lot of good is taking place in the world today. God is working. Note some headlines and facts you probably haven’t seen. You can google these statements and read the entire story. Christianity is growing rapidly in South America, Africa, and Asia. China could have more Christians than the U.S. by 2030. Iran has the world’s ‘fastest-growing church,’ despite no buildings. People in Iran are fleeing Islam in droves as believers bow their knee to Jesus. Muslims convert to Christianity in Syrian town once besieged by ISIS. Iranians Are Converting to Evangelical Christianity in Turkey. All over the world, an unprecedented number from other religions are becoming Christians.
But you may be wondering about the USA. ‘A Rush of Hope’: 17,000 People Turn to Christ After Watching Greg Laurie’s Cinematic Crusade. ‘The Great Quarantine Revival’: Pulse Sees 100,000+ Professions of Faith During Virtual Events. Mass Revival Breaks out across Tennessee: ‘The Holy Spirit Came and Took Control’. Massive Revival Meetings Ensue across the East Coast. Last weekend, thousands of Christians in three Northeastern states experienced a mighty move of God as revival meetings continue to take place across the nation. And note these headlines. The Street Corner Where George Floyd Was Killed Has Become a Christian Revivalist Site. ‘Riots to Revival’ movement brings hundreds to Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park. ‘Riots to Revival’ Event Brings Baptisms and Worship to Kenosha, Wisconsin. Ohio Mayor Surrenders City to Christ, ‘May This Be a Land Where He Rules Supreme,’.
As we mature in Christ, the Holy Spirit trains us to see with our spiritual eyes. Don’t assume because you don’t see God working that He’s not doing anything. God is always working. Jesus said, My Father is always at his work (Jn 5:17 NIV). For God is working in you (Phil 2:13 NLT). God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (1:6 NLT). Finally, we know that God causes everything to work together for the good . . . (Ro 8:28 NLT). The grammar indicates this is a present ongoing, never-ending process. Many times, I’ve failed so bad or life is so messed up I say even God can’t fix it this time. But every time God steps into my mess or the horrible circumstance around me and turned it into good. Neither our circumstances, nor our feelings, are reliable indicators of what God is up to in our lives (Brian G. Hedges)
Sustaining Word for the Week: “Behold, I go forward but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; v9 When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him. v10 “But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:8-10).