This is Day Eight of our 21-Day Fast, and we’re so glad that you’re joining us on this fast. One of the interesting things about fasting is that even though your world has been turned upside down for a season – the rest of the world goes along as if nothing is happening. But let me be the first to remind you – something is happening and all of heaven is sitting up and taking notice. Don’t look back now. Press on and press in!
Seeing God in the Storms of Life
Many times, the greatest obstacle to moving forward with the Lord isn’t in the past; it’s some paralyzing event or set of circumstances happening right now. Criticism, betrayal, conflict or even things like a bad medical report or a child who is far away from God can stop you where you stand and things like purpose, calling, and legacy seem like a distant, fading ship in the fog. I bring you good news – Jesus hasn’t gone anywhere, and just like He was with Peter when Peter walked on water – He is right there to save you.
Your hope is not gone. Your future is secure and that set of circumstances you find yourself in is but a season, not a sentence. When your world appears as though it’s all falling apart in the physical, it’s actually falling into place in the spiritual. God’s got you!
The Dead Sea, is literally the lowest place on the earth. Maybe you’re there, spiritually. Maybe you’re there emotionally. The reason that it’s called the “Dead Sea” is because there’s nothing living in it. It’s so salty because it has no outlets. It only takes in, it doesn’t give out.
Here is the lesson of the Dead Sea: When you get discouraged, go and help somebody else. Encourage somebody else. Love somebody else. Don’t become a Dead Sea, only taking in and never giving out. Sometimes when you’re fasting and praying, it will bring up a lot of negative emotions. Elijah, when he fasted, went under a juniper tree and became depressed.
Fasting cleanses us spiritually, yes, but it cleanses and stirs us emotionally as well. But what brought Elijah out of his cave of depression was when God told him to go anoint somebody else. When he went and anointed three people, his depression lifted.
Trust Him and draw near. He is your protector, defender and your strong tower. He goes before you and prepares the way. In times like these you have to trust God and lean not in your own understanding. Keep walking with Him; especially when your emotions are taking you down a darker path. Stop where you are, look up and call out His name. He will answer you and direct your path back to the light.
Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). This is a promise you can count on when your emotions cause you to fear and see only the negative.
Today's Bible Reading
Matthew 14:27-32
27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
28And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
II Corinthians 4
The Light of Christ’s Gospel
1Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cast Down but Unconquered
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Seeing the Invisible
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Prayer:
Father, encourage people today. Turn them from a Dead Sea to a flowing mighty river. Today when they are tempted to take their eyes off of You and onto the storm, remind them of the hope of glory You’ve called them to. Shift their perspective and focus to find You in every storm. Remind them that You are near to the brokenhearted and close to the crushed in spirit. In Jesus’ Name.