Reality #4 Part 13 Spiritual Markers
Physical Markers of Spiritual Encounters
When Israel crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God gave Joshua the following instructions: "Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, 'Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.'" (Joshua 4:2-3)
These stones were to serve as a sign to the Israelites. Joshua explained: "That this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever." (Joshua 4:6-7)
The stones were to be a reminder of a mighty act of God in behalf of His people. On many other occasions men built altars or set up stones as a reminder of a significant encounter with God.
(Noah: Genesis 6-8; Abram: Genesis 12:1-8 and 13:1-18; Isaac: Genesis 26:17-25; Jacob: Genesis 28:10-22 and 35:1-7; Moses: Exodus 17:8-16 and 24:1-11; Joshua: Joshua 3:5-4:9; Gideon: Judges 6:11-24; and Samuel: 1 Samuel 7:1-13)
Often men in the Old Testament set up a stone marker or altar as a reminder of their encounters with God. Places like Bethel ("house of God") and Rehoboth ("room") became reminders of God's great activity in the midst of His people. Moses named an alter "The Lord is my Banner"; and Samuel named a stone "Ebenezer" saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12). These altars and stones became physical markers of great spiritual encounters with God. They provided an opportunity for people to teach their children about the activity of God in behalf of His people.
I have found it helpful to identify "spiritual markers" in my life. Each time I encounter God's call or directions, I mentally build a spiritual marker at that point. A spiritual marker identifies a time of transition, decision, or direction when I clearly know that God has guided me. Over time I can look back at these spiritual markers and see how God has faithfully directed my life according to His divine purpose. When I review my spiritual markers, I can see more clearly the directions in which God has been moving my life and ministry. At times I may face several options where I could serve God. I need to know which of these good things is what God desires of me. When I face a decision about God's direction, I review my spiritual markers. I don't take the next step without the context of the full activity of God in my life. This helps me see God's perspective for my past and present. Then I look at the options that are before me. I look to see which one of the options seems to be most consistent with what God has been doing in my life. Often one of these directions will be most consistent with what God already has been doing. If none of the directions seems consistent, I continue to pray and wait on the Lord's guidance. When circumstances do not align with what God is saying in the Bible and in prayer, I assume that the timing may be wrong. I then wait for God to reveal His timing.
God used circumstances to reveal to Jesus what He was to do. Jesus watched circumstances to know where the Father wanted to involve Him in His work. God may use circumstances to reveal His directions to you also. However, you must check these directions against what God may be saying through the Scriptures and prayer. Reviewing your spiritual markers is one way God may give you a sense of direction using circumstances. When God gets ready for you to take the next step or direction in His activity, it will be in sequence with what He has already been doing in your life. Sometimes you may find yourself in difficult or confusing circumstances. To understand bad or difficult circumstances, God's perspective is vital! Never, ever determine the truth of a situation by looking at the circumstances. You cannot know the truth of any circumstance until you have heard from God.
In Christ,
David
When Israel crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God gave Joshua the following instructions: "Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, 'Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.'" (Joshua 4:2-3)
These stones were to serve as a sign to the Israelites. Joshua explained: "That this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever." (Joshua 4:6-7)
The stones were to be a reminder of a mighty act of God in behalf of His people. On many other occasions men built altars or set up stones as a reminder of a significant encounter with God.
(Noah: Genesis 6-8; Abram: Genesis 12:1-8 and 13:1-18; Isaac: Genesis 26:17-25; Jacob: Genesis 28:10-22 and 35:1-7; Moses: Exodus 17:8-16 and 24:1-11; Joshua: Joshua 3:5-4:9; Gideon: Judges 6:11-24; and Samuel: 1 Samuel 7:1-13)
Often men in the Old Testament set up a stone marker or altar as a reminder of their encounters with God. Places like Bethel ("house of God") and Rehoboth ("room") became reminders of God's great activity in the midst of His people. Moses named an alter "The Lord is my Banner"; and Samuel named a stone "Ebenezer" saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12). These altars and stones became physical markers of great spiritual encounters with God. They provided an opportunity for people to teach their children about the activity of God in behalf of His people.
I have found it helpful to identify "spiritual markers" in my life. Each time I encounter God's call or directions, I mentally build a spiritual marker at that point. A spiritual marker identifies a time of transition, decision, or direction when I clearly know that God has guided me. Over time I can look back at these spiritual markers and see how God has faithfully directed my life according to His divine purpose. When I review my spiritual markers, I can see more clearly the directions in which God has been moving my life and ministry. At times I may face several options where I could serve God. I need to know which of these good things is what God desires of me. When I face a decision about God's direction, I review my spiritual markers. I don't take the next step without the context of the full activity of God in my life. This helps me see God's perspective for my past and present. Then I look at the options that are before me. I look to see which one of the options seems to be most consistent with what God has been doing in my life. Often one of these directions will be most consistent with what God already has been doing. If none of the directions seems consistent, I continue to pray and wait on the Lord's guidance. When circumstances do not align with what God is saying in the Bible and in prayer, I assume that the timing may be wrong. I then wait for God to reveal His timing.
God used circumstances to reveal to Jesus what He was to do. Jesus watched circumstances to know where the Father wanted to involve Him in His work. God may use circumstances to reveal His directions to you also. However, you must check these directions against what God may be saying through the Scriptures and prayer. Reviewing your spiritual markers is one way God may give you a sense of direction using circumstances. When God gets ready for you to take the next step or direction in His activity, it will be in sequence with what He has already been doing in your life. Sometimes you may find yourself in difficult or confusing circumstances. To understand bad or difficult circumstances, God's perspective is vital! Never, ever determine the truth of a situation by looking at the circumstances. You cannot know the truth of any circumstance until you have heard from God.
In Christ,
David
posted by Mark 1:17 at 8:43 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home