To to see the first half of this story please read Part 1! 🙂
As I sat in the quiet of the woods, letting the strength of God’s Word course through my body, I finally came to a point where I was able to rise up to the challenge and act in obedience to the request the Lord was placing on me.
Although I was submitted to being faithful, I decided I could not move from that spot for fear of walking through camp – closer to the mess hall where everyone was enjoying food and fellowship together – and giving in to the evident wishes of my growling stomach.
I did not move from that battleground for two hours and I am so glad for it! If I would’ve left right after overcoming the Enemy, I would not have experienced the sweet fellowship with Yahweh that ensued. He spoke so clearly and was not finished with convicting me.
“Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Through that verse, Matthew 4:4, God revealed to me how I needed a heart change regarding two issues I was currently dealing with.
He lovingly but firmly spoke to my heart,
Daughter, you put too emphasis in gaining your strength from food. You allow the lack of it to affect your overall energy and attitude immensely. I am the One who gives you strength. I am the provider of life and energy and it is I who sustain you.
——-> You do not live by bread alone…
You also put too much weight in the affirmation of others and how people perceive you. Instead, you need to focus on listening to what I say about you. That is where true life is.
——-> You do not live by bread alone…
In the same way you would physically die without food, you would also spiritually starve without community and your relationships in the Body of Christ. As much as those things are essential in sustaining you, they are not the most important thing. They are not what you live for.
——-> You live by every word that comes from my mouth…
The words that say:
- I am your strength
- I am the bread
- I am the life
- I know your heart and I call you beautiful and good
- I created you just the way I want you – you are my masterpiece
I sat there…..
Silenced
Restored
Tempered through the fire, yet in awe of such a gracious and loving God.
A God who not only asks me to do the hard thing, to draw near to Him, to test my obedience to His will…but a God who, like a loving Father, gently convicts and directs His children to the path of righteousness and truth.
As I was able to celebrate the small, yet huge victory of overcoming my flesh and fasting that morning, I also had a shadow of fear that thought, “Oh no, I passed this test. Now You’re going to give me something harder Lord?”
That very day was the beginning of team formations within our squad and by the end of the day I knew He was asking me to be a team leader.
“A team leader? Really? That’s so much more responsibility and umm….I actually don’t even know what that all entails, but I know it will be challenging and I don’t know if I can handle that Lord. I’m scared!”
Once again, He whispered peace and strength to my heart,
Yes, It will be challenging. But you can do it. Tune into Me.
TUNE INTO ME…
I wonder what would’ve been different if I hadn’t tuned into Him that morning:
If I hadn’t tapped into the strength of the Spirit to overcome temptation and act in obedience.
If I hadn’t stayed longer to commune with God after making the decision to fast.
If I would’ve denied or taken lightly the areas in my life He was speaking to me about.
Would I have passed the ‘test’?
Would I have heard His voice speaking to me about what I needed to change?
Would I have had an open heart to accept His conviction in order to grow close to Him?
Would He have asked me to be a team leader?
Who knows……………………………….but this I do know:
“Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God!!”
Question: What areas are you focusing on ‘bread’ instead of the words that come from the mouth of God, our true source of Life? Tune into Him and find strength…
(Photo courtesy of my squad mate, Jake Schroeder!)
