God Orders the Trains

My intended subject today will be put on hold. I was ready to tell some humorous quips to lead in to what I originally was going to write, but then I received an email.

This woman has been a friend for several years, though we have never lived close together. Our communication has been by letter and email with a rare phone call. She had read yesterday's blog, and her response went something like this. "I am having such difficulties in my life right now that I can't even begin to think about the big tribulation ahead. I can barely keep a roof over my head or have the energy to go to work each day. My problems are overwhelming. I know God is there, but my prayers never seem to be answered. It is so hard to go on. I would like to participate in your blog, but have no inner strength to even attempt it."

 

One of our favorite expressions when things seem to be getting off track or going in an odd direction or not moving along like we think it should is that "God orders the trains". Even though the train appears to be run by some company with exact time tables and logistics, God is ultimately in control. Do we REALLY believe that? For myself, lip service is easier than true belief. What do you tell a woman who has struggled for years with health issues, abandonment by a spouse, raising children alone, poverty, etc? When as a Christian it appears that nothing changes in the day to day struggles. David Wilkerson has been addressing this very thing in his daily devotionals for many months now. The body of Christ is experiencing HUGE difficulties and attacks. Some have been brought about by poor decisions, wrong teaching by the churches ("grace will cover any sin without consequences"), and direct attacks by satan. We all have experienced the "blackness" at times. But God IS in control. He weeps when we weep, He sees the suffering. Do we defame His character by grumbling, by thinking in our deepest heart that He really doesn't care about "little" me and my problems? How can we grieve Him so? After Jesus was scourged to a bloody pulp and suffered with spikes in His hands and feet, hanging on a cross, to buy us back from satan and returned to the Father once again, how can we be so unbelieving? Every drop of Jesus' precious shed blood nullified the power of satan's kingdom over us. If we can't grasp this, then satan has won. We may be redeemed "legally", but we are walking like we are still under the sentence of death and hell. 

We may be struggling with generational curses or doors that we opened in our youth that let in unclean spirits. But if we have truly submitted every area of our lives to Christ's headship and dominion (which is what being a Christian truly means), then there is every weapon at our disposal to fight the good fight and see victory. I love the words of the Lord to the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia in Rev. 2 and 3. To Smyrna He says: "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." And to Philadelphia: "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie: behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." 

In both cases He told them that He knows their works. Part of these "works" is that they did not deny His name and they kept His word. They were patient in their trials. Jesus did not deny that there would be suffering, but it had a definite time period and NO FURTHER. And those who have used their tongues and actions to persecute us will see by these works that Jesus loves us and has never abandoned us.

Hold fast! That is our motto. Hold fast! We have forever and ever and ever before us. Let us be true, though everyone else be faithless. Let us never deny the Lord's goodness or mercy, no matter how severe our trials. Let us also love one another and have hearts and homes that welcome those in affliction, without condemnation. And let it begin with me. Amen.