Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Pathways and obstacles...


"You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and You are acquainted with all my ways."
Psalm 139:3 Amplified Bible


I love the Amplified Bible and the words it uses in Psalm 139:3.  I picture God in heaven walking the path ahead of us and sifting out all the stones and sticks that may make us stumble along the way.  My thinking is that if there's an obstacle still in your pathway after God's done sifting it, it's one of three things. 

The first possibility is, you somewhere you got off the path of God's will and purpose and got on your own path.  I don't think this can happen accidentally.  Somewhere, you made a purposeful choice to not listen or not obey.  So, in His great mercy God puts up roadblocks in hopes that you'll turn back to His path.  

The second possible reason that there is an obstacle on your path is you're on the right path but God has allowed there to be an obstacle in your way for a purpose.  Maybe He is delaying you at a certain spot until His perfect timing,  maybe He is testing your trust in Him,  maybe He's teaching you patience and endurance.  All of those reasons don't make facing an obstacle easier or more enjoyable.  But, God is intent on making you into the man or woman of God He created you to be.  He is also a God who is big on divine appointments and His perfect timing.  Both of those could be reasons He has you in a season that feels like delay.

The last reason there may be an obstacle on your path is that the enemy is trying to stop you. (For a Biblical example read Nehemiah and how the enemy tried to stop him from doing the work God had called him to do.)  If that is the case, God is still in control of you and your path and wants to show Himself strong for you and through you.  In Ephesians 3:10 we see that God uses us, (the church),  to make known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly sphere His wisdom and power.  There's never an enemy scheme or tactic that takes God by surprise or shocks Him. He wants to give you His power and wisdom to deal with it. 

 If you think you are  dealing with an enemy induced hindrance first ask God to give you discernment about what you are dealing with.  Simply ask, "Father, please show me if this obstacle is You trying to slow me down or lead me a different direction, or if it is the enemy trying to stop me."  Once, you feel sure it's not God Himself you are fighting against, then put on the whole armor of God and stand strong.   Get others to agree with you in prayer.  Pray, pray, pray and then obey, obey, obey.  Whatever you do, don't quit.  Again, read the book of Nehemiah or other great Bible passages about people who were hindered by the enemy, but pressed through to victory.  God won't waste your warfare, but is using even this to strengthen and train you.  Remember, God allowed David to face the lion and the bear, which prepared him and gave him courage to face Goliath.  Think back to a battle already won, an obstacle already overcome.  Let the fact that God helped you through that embolden you to face this new obstacle.

Take comfort in the fact that anything on the path before you is known and seen by God.  Then grab hold of His hand and this promise, because He will never, never, never let go of you.  "...for He, God Himself has said, "I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.  I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down or relax My hold on you! Assuredly not!" (Hebrews 13:5 Amplified Bible)

still following,

     



at 3-D Lessons for Life

18 comments:

  1. This is a good word, Elizabeth. I receive it with joy and yes, I will be praying for you per your request. When He speaks through us it is one of the most amazing feelings on earth.

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement and for praying for me, my friend.

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  2. Thank you Elizabeth. I've hit a bump in the road, an obstacle and am working through it. Your words are a blessing.

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    1. I'm here to pray, to listen, if you ever need me. Message me on FB? Oh, and I haven't forgotten about your book giveaway. I let myself get a bit overwhelmed.

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  3. Thank you so much for this great reminder! I am a women, and the owner of a small Landscape company. I feel that I was called to do what i am doing but as many obstacles come along, I always wonder if I am still on the right path. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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    1. Donna, I'm so grateful that God used my post to encourage you. I totally set out to write something different and this just poured out instead. I was sure it was meant to encourage someone.

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  4. This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible "...for He, God Himself has said, "I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down or relax My hold on you! Assuredly not!" (Hebrews 13:5 Amplified Bible)
    It keepsme going when times are rough because I know my Daddy loves me so much that He will never leave me nor forsake me nor relax His hold on me. That encourages me each and every day!!

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    1. I cling to this verse all of the time as well!

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  5. I needed this teaching today. Stuck on something. The middle section of your teaching applies beautifully. Thank you. :)

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    1. I'm so glad it encouraged you, Julie! I had my mind to write something totally different, but God led me this direction. I knew He wanted to encourage someone through this!

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  6. Words of encouragement here, as always. I'm thankful for a God who will never leave me alone.

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    1. With your writing talent and experience, your encouragement means so much to me! You help me to keep on writing, to keep on trying!

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  7. Elizabeth, these are such encouraging words, especially this line,
    " So, in His great mercy God puts up roadblocks in hopes that you'll turn back to His path."
    Great word!

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  8. You have good wisdom for working through those times when things aren't quite going the way we anticipated. And when we have our own agendas bumps in the road are sure to hinder. God is good! Thanks for pointing us back to Him time and time again. Love Rachael @ Inking the Heart

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  9. Great encouragement, Elizabeth! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Marilyn, I'm so blessed that this post encouraged you!

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