Matthew 20:22
“Jesus answered and said you know not what you ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized? They say unto him, We are able.”
What of Today’s Verse…
There are times in spiritual life when there is confusion, and it is no way out to say that there ought not to be confusion. It is not a question of right and wrong, but a question of God taking you a way which meanwhile you do not understand, and it is only by going through the confusion that you will get at what God wants.
The Shrouding of His Friendship. Luke 11:5-8. Jesus gave the illustration of the man who looked as if he did not care for his friend, and He said that is how the Heavenly Father will appear to you at times. You will think He is an unkind friend, but remember He is not; the time will come when everything will be explained. There is a cloud on the friendship of the heart, and often even love itself has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller communion. When God looks completely shrouded, will you hang on in confidence in Him?
The Shadow on His Fatherhood. Luke 11:11-13. Jesus says there are times when your Father will appear as if He were an unnatural father, as if He were callous and indifferent, but remember He is not. I have told you – “Everyone that asks receives.” If there is a shadow on the face of the Father just now, hang onto it that He will ultimately give His clear revealing and justify Himself in all that He permitted.
The Strangeness of His Faithfulness. Luke 18:1-8. “When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” Will He find the faith which banks on Him despite the confusion? Standoff in faith believing that what Jesus said is true, though in the meantime you do not understand what God is doing. He has bigger issues at stake than the particular things you ask.
Words of Wisdom
Go the distance…
True success at almost anything takes long, sustained effort. How do you discipline yourself to go the distance? How do you keep on track, day after day, month after month?
You do it by taking satisfaction and enjoyment from the journey. By experiencing each moment fully and knowing that, you are living with purpose, moving in the direction of your goals.
You do not tell yourself things like, “only two more years of this agony, and I’ll be able to retire.” That attitude will not sustain you. Yes, you must see the prize at the end. You must also see yourself moving toward it all the time, and you cannot do that if you are miserable in the moment.
From the moment you set your sights on a goal, make the commitment to pursue it, and start to take action, you begin to reap its rewards. The actual attainment is only the final reward — there are many more along the way.
Do not postpone your happiness and fulfilment. Take satisfaction in the pursuit of your goals, and you will go the distance.
