Perilous Times October 4, 2015
2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
God’s love did wonderful things in Paul’s life; the grace of God was with him.
We are in perilous times. How do we know?
2 Timothy 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
It’s just about over- our time is just about here. There are eight perils mentioned in 2 Corinthians (eight is the number for the bride). This is the bridal calling time. These are God’s testing and proving grounds. This is where He leads those that love to be the good pleasure of His will. It’s a real battlefield (a war), with smoke and bullets whizzing by. He brings us out there. There must be an enduring to be glorified together. The love of God will cause you to do this; to suffer for His namesake. Rise up and move on. The revelation to our souls is only found on the battlefields, in times of perils.
2 Corinthians 4:7-11 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
We are thankful to know that we do not suffer for nothing. It’s for reigning and glory. This is the goal of our lives. That it may be of God and not of us. The place where He reigns is the place of my utter and complete weakness. It has to be the power of Christ. We learn by suffering with Him.
Deuteronomy 32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
For us to experience the most glorious power, we must be in freefalls. To know His deliverance and have confidence in Him, we must be in the place of utter hopelessness. That’s the only place we are going to understand divine grace. That’s why you are in the place you are in. It may be a lion’s den, a fiery furnace, or facing giants. But He shouts, “I am the Lord thy God”! He takes us to a place where we see that the new man needs to keep going from glory to glory; to the finishing glory. Finishing glory is a narrow way. It only happens in our weakness. A transformation is going on when we can glory in our infirmities, and lay a hold of all the glory in the trial, ours or our loved ones. When I’ve got nothing but Jesus, that’s when I’ve got everything! Praise God He has made you weak and surrounded you in troubles - He’s finishing you for His very best. It’s not a punishing time, but there is a perfect rest that your life is not about here; it’s about that glory to glory transformation that we will meet Him with.
~ Psalm 91 ~
Psalms 91:1-16 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (2) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (3) Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler… (14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
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