Today I want to hare again from Oswald Chambers "My Utmost For His Highest".
Why Cannot I Follow Thee Now?
Peter said unto Him, Lord, why cannot I follow Thee now? — John 13:37
There are times when you cannot understand why you cannot do what you
want to do. When God brings the blank space, see that you do not fill it in,
but wait. The blank space may come in order to teach you what sanctification
means, or it may come after sanctification to teach you what service means.
Never run before God’s guidance. If there is the slightest doubt, then He is
not guiding. Whenever there is doubt — don’t.
In the beginning you may see clearly what God’s will is — the severance
of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, something you
feel distinctly before God is His will for you to do, never do it on the impulse
of that feeling. If you do, you will end in making difficulties that will take
years of time to put right. Wait for God’s time to bring it round and He will
do it without any heartbreak or disappointment. When it is a question of the
providential will of God, wait for God to move.
Peter did not wait on God, he forecast in his mind where the test would
come, and the test came where he did not expect it. “I will lay down my life
for Thy sake.” Peter’s declaration was honest but ignorant. “Jesus answered
him…The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied Me thrice.” This was said
with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow
Jesus because he did not know himself, of what he was capable. Natural devotion
may be all very well to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His fascination,
but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will always deny Jesus
somewhere or other.
What he is saying here is simply that it takes TIME to develop intimate fellowship with HIM! Paul, after his experience on the road to Damascus, spent some time learning directly from JESUS, without being taught by a human teacher. Most think it may have been three years time, but no one knows for certain. The important point,, though, is that Paul himself says that he learned directly from JESUS, so he was most definite in what he believed and taught! THIS is what it takes to be ready for ministry. Time spent with JESUS, through His Word and by His Spirit! We were all called, into our individual ministries, from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), BUT, our separation into that ministry is at God's discretion WHEN we are ready! You WILL know! That's what he means, above, when he says if you have doubt, then wait! Many of those who have begun too soon in ministry have quit, and some no longer even follow the LORD! God's timing is PERFECT and vital for success in any and every endeavor. Remember, God is rarely early, but He is NEVER late! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "His Glory Appears":
Shalom in Him!
