Vision and Darkness
When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon
Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him —Genesis 15:12
Whenever
God gives a vision to a Christian, it is as if He puts him in “the shadow of
His hand” (Isaiah 49:2).
The saint’s duty is to be still and listen. There is a “darkness” that comes
from too much light-that is the time to listen. The story of Abram and Hagar in
Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during
a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light. When God
gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has
given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing. Never try to
help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in
those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point
of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of
discipline, not a period of God’s displeasure. There is never any need to
pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God
and be grounded in Him (see Isaiah
50:10-11).
Do
I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in
myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys
in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? “I am Almighty
God . . .”— El-Shaddai, the All-Powerful God (Genesis 17:1).
The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As
soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of
reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is
built on God.
(Taken from Oswald Chambers – “My Utmost
for His Highest” January 19)