We sing or hear the Chris Tomlin song by that name all of the time. It is an amazing reminder of what we need to do. It does pose a challenge for us. It is easy to follow the Lord when things are going well but what if they are not or even worse what if we are in a situation that just doesn’t make sense.
Paul’s time under Felix and then Festus must have been very frustrating. Over and over again he is asked the same questions, required to give a defense for his actions, and defending himself from blatant lies. He is imprisoned for no legitimate legal reason. His freedoms are limited. His rights are being violated and all because of lies.
Where is the justice? Have you ever cried that statement or something similar? There is injustice all around us. Most of the people reading this blog come from parts of the world where freedom is guaranteed by government. However, if your freedom is given to you by a government, then that same government can take it away.
As Christians are real freedom comes from the Lord. As we follow Him, we will go through difficult situations; we will be unjustly accused or threatened. We will go through times where we seem alone, as if no one is standing with us. When we are following the Lord we are never alone and His plan will always be accomplished. His plan sees beyond our circumstances to winning the ultimate battle. It does require us following the Lord.
The enemy of our souls wants us to compromise, to give up, and to become bitter. We don’t see any of that in Paul. If we compromise or break our trust in God then the enemy has an open door to bring in hopelessness, depression, frustration and any number of emotions that will separate us further from our heavenly Father.
Paul chose to follow the Lord. He chose to trust God despite his circumstances. The result was he shared the Gospel with two government leaders, their families and households and one King, his wife and all of their entourage. Paul was sowing seeds with his own life. He was willing to follow the Lord not permitting bitterness, frustration, injustice, or a sense of the loss of his rights, take his focus off of the Lord.
Following the Lord, trusting the Lord, and believing Him always is the main thing. We need to keep the main thing, the main thing and keep on following regardless of the situation in our lives. There is a great freedom that no man or government can take from us when we understand this concept; because that freedom doesn’t come from man, it comes from God.
What injustice are you facing? What freedom is being taken away from you? What bitterness or anxiety are you up against? Choose to follow, trust, and believe Him! Put aside all the feelings of injustice, bitterness, or anxiety put it in Gods hands. You may not be in that place now but I am sure you have been there before and if you are following the Lord and maturing in Him you will go through it again. The only one who can take your sense of freedom is the one who gives it to you. Like Paul’s situation, God is bigger than your circumstances. When you are following the Lord, He will at times lead you into difficult places. Trust Him and follow Him! He will bring you into amazing places and impact more lives than you could ever imagine. Follow Him! Trust Him! Believe Him sometimes even despite your circumstances.
I have to say a very happy birthday to the woman who makes my life possible because of her great love for the Lord and me. My wonderful wife, Paige enables me to do all that I do. I am blessed to have her because a long time ago both of us chose to follow the Lord.
Tomorrow Acts 26, 27, 28
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