HGM FOR 18 DEC 18 WTFMT 59

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-59 TEXT:
" For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

I. GOD'S WILL
A. Confronting a hostile enemy in or out of the will of God makes a heap of difference. Joshua faced the children of Ai both out of and in the will of God. The different results were opposites, one of defeat, one of victory.
B. One of the reasons why most Christians live in defeat today is that they face the enemy contrary to the intentions of God. Of course, they face the world and life itself the same way. They have much in their hearts which is contrary to God, and thus they are defeated, as was Joshua at Ai.
C. The only place of victory is in harmony with God. I cannot depend upon my own spirit, my own thoughts, my own faith, my own strength for victory. Instead of moving in line with God, many work up an emotional stir against the enemy. This seems to fortify themselves. It certainly deludes them.
D. But when you are moving with God against an enemy, the battle is not yours in the first place, and, in the second place, the victory is certain. "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever." (Exodus 14:13) You can't get a better deal, no matter how hard you try. We are not to engage in a struggle with the enemy; we are to engage in a lopsided battle; we are to win the victory.
E. Since the battle is not ours, but God's we can afford to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Even while moving, one can stand still in God. Even while engaged in battle, one can rest. In God one can do nothing and at the same time accomplish mighty deeds. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13) "For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:10)
F. If we can surrender our own works and our own strength, and rest in God, He can give us, from Himself, all that we need; He can accomplish His will in and through us.
G. We can meet the problem, the storm, or the difficulty in the power of God. Now that is victory. Catastrophe and defeat occur when we attempt to face and overcome such things in our own strength, the reason why some Christians do not progress. And that also is the reason why some Christians never possess that which God has for them.
H. Let all of life's confrontations take place in God. It is not healthy to confront our enemies outside of God. Only in God will we be able to move forward, will be able to progress in the Lord.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

A. It is not healthy to confront the enemies outside of God. That would frighten me. Almost anything outside of God frightens me. It would frighten me to choose a mate outside of God.
B. It is rather restful to let God handle things. "To go along for the ride." Then it really doesn't matter what path your life takes, nor what you confront.