Jan Winebrenner tells us:
Oswald Chambers wrote, “The one thing for which we are all being discipled is to know God is real.” Nothing is more important than learning to live in the reality of God’s invisible presence.
Jan Winebrenner, Intimate Faith.
This makes me reflect as well on Paul’s words to the church in Rome:
Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
The reality of this quote and verse hits home when troubles come, for Satan always attacks in order to get us to a point where we doubt the presence of God outright. It starts with a question of what God has said, as he tried with Eve and later Jesus; but for most of us, it quickly moves to an overall rejection of the truth of God himself.
How can there be a God with so much evil in our world today?
With such attacks, the importance of the spiritual disciplines and Christian discipleship is crucial. When I’m so in tune with him in prayer and so deep in his word, I’m then able to see him at work in even the darkest of times.
Job’s wife wanted him to curse God and die, but Job’s relationship with God would never have allowed it. He knew God was present, even in his suffering. Resting in this truth enabled him to rebuke his wife: “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2:10
When we move away from the way of the world and conform ourselves to the image of Christ, we are able to face any challenge with the confidence of Job. Jesus Christ, our ultimate example, knowingly faced the cross in obedience to the Father, because he was in harmony with the purposes of God.
May you grow so deep in your relationship with God, the reality of his presence will carry you through whatever lies ahead.
Grace and Peace