When we began the year, we emphasized the importance of tracking our time, having goals for every month and keeping conscious tabs on our progress. God, although limitless, is limited by our cooperation with all He is able to do in our lives.
Beginning with this passage from King David, ‘Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel’ (Psalms 78:41) – we see an example where the actions of the children of Israel restricted the full expression of God in their lives. Our tendency to restrict God is often a direct result of our ignorance, because in this kingdom, the grace of God multiplies through the knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18).
Speaking to the church in Corinth, Apostle Paul said, ‘… lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices’ (2 Corinthians 2:11) – showing that children of God have been given an advantage, but this can be taken away by the enemy through their own unawareness and ignorance, wherein they have no solid conviction of who they are in Christ. Our ability to see where Satan is operating is a big blessing, and knowledge brings us the faith we need to respond to the grace of God that is available.
One such a way we can limit God is through the love for comfortability and the fear of change. A good place to start introspecting is that area in our lives that does not need the divine intervention of God; when you have everything under control through your own strengths, you can be sure you have limited all He can do in your life and need to revise your choices. Additionally, when we fear change and failure, we also don’t allow Him to announce new seasons in our lives.
Abraham would have never become the father of faith if he feared leaving his familiar home territory for the land where the Lord had showed him. God will not always tell you everything, He just wants you to trust Him and lean on Him continually for sustenance – but mostly, children of God today want a life they can predict. God often calls us to places we know are beyond our capabilities, so we know at all times to portion the glory appropriately. We have to be sure of the character of the Person we are dealing with, He is full of integrity, and ours is to trust Him.
We see that in all His working of signs and wonders, Jesus would give an instruction, and the miracle would manifest itself in the process of the receivers heeding to obedience. And because His followers had spent adequate time with Him, they knew that what He says comes to pass, and this further fuelled their obedience. This understanding forms the parameters that determine the manifestation of God’s power (Ephesians 3:20; 2 Kings 4:1-7).
Failure, according to God, isn’t an unsuccessful attempt at production, but it is the refusal to attempt walking in what God has instructed. Looking at the example of Apostle Peter, the Lord told Him that Satan desired to destroy him, but He had interceded for him and he would be saved (Luke 22:31-34).
However, we know that Peter went on to deny Jesus, which would have been considered a massive fail and blunder by many – however, Jesus went on to cement Peter as one of the key figures in the building of the church as we see it today. He is the one who ministered as boldly as a lion to the conversion of thousands, strengthening his brothers, suffering on behalf of the gospel – thus though he may have failed along the way, He still fulfilled God’s calling on His life.
Considering the story of the four leprous men in 2 Kings 7: 3-20, we see how mind renewal to the Word begins at the place of introspection.
The Word of God is the mirror to your Spirit, you see clearly how you fare according to where you need to be. The men asked themselves, ‘… Why sit we here until we die?’ (v.3). Death is not the perishing of your physical body, but it is the acceptance of anything that is not God’s best. From that place of introspection, we are then able to leap over to hope.
When the men decided to take steps of faith towards the city, the inhabitants heard a mighty sound as of an army approaching, and that is the working of the Lord – He amplifies our efforts, he multiplies our impact and produces supernatural results from small acts of faith and obedience. Introspection helps with big picture thinking, it helps us deal with fear as we anticipate all that might come to pass, it helps us ponder back and forth the Word of God for every fear the enemy might throw at us.
While limiting God, the children of Israel ‘… remembered not His hand’ (Psalms 78:42) – this is why it is important to keep oneself in the parameters of God’s Word always, because the human soul yearns for remembrance! This is how we remove limitations; we continually remind ourselves of God’s Word, His character, and His purposes – understanding that He does not fail, and He can be absolutely trusted!
Prayer
Father, we thank You for Your Word and the testimony of Your Spirit, that teaches and assures us of who You are. You are a good God and father, who loves His children endlessly and without reservation. You are God Almighty, supreme in all Your ways and matchless in power. Aligning ourselves with You statutes, plans and purposes is our surest way to victory.
You are our guaranteed success! We bless You. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
1 Comment
Gwinyai
Good Word