When we drift along with time and circumstances, it is so much easier.
Like a stick on the river, you can go with the flow, relax and let life take you where it wills. Tempting. But that is precisely the warning: life will take you where it wills since our enemy is influencing this world’s will. If we drift along, then the Natural Law wins over, and we see: sin, decay, degradation, death.
For us as believers though, this is not the design for our life, “because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:2) We have been given the Holy Spirit, and in the power of the Spirit, we have life, not just spiritual but physical. We can rise and work against the natural law at work around us.
To overcome the operation of this natural law, it will require spiritual energy, (given to us by the Holy Spirit) a determined purpose (to stand), a sure stance (in faith) and a personal habit of a walk with God.
The best way to describe it is to think of a machine in a factory. For the machine to work, it has to be plugged into an electric source to fulfil its design and purpose. There is no point in just being plugged in though, it has to be switched on so that a proper connection is made, power can flow, and that power is always available. As long as the connection holds, the machinery will fulfil its purpose.
We are no different; we have to choose to plug into the Holy Spirit, and each day decide to believe in whatever way is necessary in our circumstances. Then we have to abide in our relationship with the Lord in faith, every day, one day at a time and remain steadfast (switched on, not wavering). Only then does the Holy Spirit work in our lives the life bringing work that goes against the natural law.
In Hosea 14:5, there is a beautiful promise to God’s people:
“I will be like the dew to Israel.”
Dew is Natures provision to refresh the earth. There may have been many days without rain and blisteringly hot sun, but plants survive with the watering of the dew. Dew only falls when there is no wind, and all is quiet. The air has to be still and drop in temperature for the tiny droplets to be released to the earth. During the night when all nature is quiet, and the pores on the leaves are open, nature is attentive to receive from the dew the provision it needs to be refreshed.
Once again, the Holy Spirit refreshes God’s people today. He is our dew to bring the spiritual refreshment we need every day. Titus 3:5 tells us that this refreshment is done by the “renewal of the Holy Spirit” The mistake we make as believers, is that we don’t wait for the Holy Spirit to refresh us. We become spiritually weary, tired, overburdened and emotionally overwhelmed and then are tempted to drift along with time and circumstances.
But to receive this refreshment from the Holy Spirit only requires that we remove ourselves from our daily activities of the day, become still and quiet and wait in the presence of the Lord. There, where we are focused and attentive to the Lord, we receive the refreshment we need for our spirits.
Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret …
Psalm 46:10 He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God;…
There you wait in the Presence of the Lord until your spirit pulsates with the energy and freshness of God’s divine love for you until you feel saturated with His Presence. There you cease from your striving, your anxiety, your fear and remind yourself Who you belong to and Who it is that watches over your life.
“But I have stilled and quietened myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.” (Psalm 131:2)
A weaned child comes to its mother not for food or provision, but for the comfort and security of her company. Time on Mom’s lap develops new courage to go out into the world again. Sit in the Lord’s presence until you are ready, then you move out and do the next duty of the day.
In the Lord’s Presence, the Holy Spirit works a spiritual work in our lives and refreshes, renews, strengthens us and gives us energy. Read the rest of Hosea 14:5-9
I will be like the dew to Israel (God’s people); he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow.
His splendour will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
People will dwell again in his shade; they will flourish like the corn,
they will blossom like the vine – Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.
Ephraim (another name for God’s people), what more have I to do with idols?
I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me.’Who is wise? Let them realise these things.
Who is discerning? Let them understand.
The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
God desires to refresh and renew us if we would only come to Him. No wonder, He says:
“‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’” (Matt 11:28-30)
- How much do you see the natural law operating around you? To what extent have you become weary and tempted to surrender and drift?
- When last did you enter the Lord’s presence and sit enjoying His company? When last did you stay long enough for the Lord to refresh your spirit and give you energy?
Make a point of being still and quiet in His presence. Do not busy yourself with study and prayer and all kinds of requests and petitions. Enjoy His company as the Love of Your Soul, Your King, the One who holds you with His right hand and watches over your coming and going. Enjoy the Lord in the beauty of the relationship you have with Him.
Thank you, Lord, for that reminder that You are the One that refreshes and renews my spirit. Help me to keep coming into Your presence for what I need each day. Help me not try and do life unplugged and disconnected from You, but help me find moments where I can be still and quiet before You. Satisfy my soul with your dew, strengthen my roots, help me to flourish and grow strong. I declare that I am a Cedar in Lebanon, steadfast in the landscape of my life because You are the One that sustains me. People will find shelter with me, and they will flourish too as they find their strength in You.
Wow that was an eye opener for me.Thankyou for reminding me that I need to be still and know my God.Bless you.