Last year, while in Australia, I preached a message entitled “Permission to Proceed!” I believed that it was my assignment to share that word with God’s people. Little did I know at the time that just beyond the horizon was brewing an economic storm of enormous proportion?
Recently, I received an email from one of the saints in Australia who reminded me about the sermon I delivered. They shared that while they received that message as a personal message just for them, since that time they have been experiencing tremendous money challenges. I wrote them back to address their concerns. The more I wrote the more I realized that my response was addressing a situation that so many people were facing.
With that in mind, I’m going to share with you portions of what I wrote. May God help us all to trust him more even in these times. Here now is my edited response to the bewildering question, how do I proceed in such a negative economic climate?
I so much want to come back (Australia) that I may (as Paul said) impart some spiritual gift unto you, to the end that you may be established. (Romans 1:11) In the meantime, remember that your God inspired dream is not dependent upon your surrounding circumstances. Don’t waste time in your present cluttering up the vision of your tomorrow with the problems and circumstances of yesterday. It is apparent that you survived yesterday’s challenges because you are here today.
There is no question that you must use wisdom and not launch into tomorrow in an irresponsible manner. However, being responsible is not an enemy of or antagonistic to bold and brave God-honoring initiatives. The Bible teaches “Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts.” That speaks to the methodology – the “How to” of your vision. However, we must not confuse the “How” of God with the “That” of God. The “How” and even “When” of God describes our method and timing, but it is the “That” of God that reassures us that even if we have a turbulent flight, we are going to enjoy a happy landing!!!
One of the greatest stories illustrating that observation is the one telling of Jesus’ command to the disciples to “go to the other side.” (Matt. 8:18) What is fascinating about this story and the similar but ‘different in details’ story in Matt 14 is that almost as soon as they obeyed Jesus’ instructions, significant trouble showed up. The text records that “suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat.” Let’s mine all the nuggets of golden truth from that text. 1. There was no confusion in the disciples’ minds as to what Jesus meant when he instructed them to “cross to the other side of the lake.” 2. They responded appropriately to Jesus’ instructions – they got into the boat and pointed the same in the direction of the other side. (see James 1:22 – its not enough to hear the Word, doing something about it is also required.)
3. An examination of scripture as well as the history of our own walk with God seems to suggest a fairly predictable principle: The moment that you obey Jesus’ instructions trouble is going to present itself to you! Why is that Lord we often wonder? The text says suddenly (as in out of nowhere) a fierce storm struck the lake. Why is it Lord that when you tell us what to do, and we do what you say, we are beleaguered with problems? It would seem to us that your will, married to our obedience, should result in uninhibited success! But such is not the case!
In our text that sobering apparent fact produced great fear in the hearts of the disciples. And before we become too quick to spank them for their faithlessness, let us remind ourselves that their circumstances were dire. They were on a tempestuous sea, in the middle of the darkest night (lacking artificial light – it hadn’t been invented yet), much too far from shore to swim back, and totally incapable of drinking that much water. They legitimately worried that maybe they were going to die. It is difficult to fully appreciate their fear while we sit safe and dry in the pristine surroundings of our sanctuaries. They were scared, and we would have been as well! 4. Jesus was asleep in the same boat. 5. The terror of death’s immanent arrival compelled the disciples to disturb their sleeping Jesus: “Master!!! Carest not that we perish?” 6. Jesus responds to their interruption by asking them why are they afraid, but then, he goes and rebukes the winds and waves. 7. The text reports that as suddenly as the fierce storm arrived, it suddenly disappeared and all was calm.
Many people have been concerned by Jesus’ verbal response to his terrified disciples’ plea for help. Why would Jesus rebuke them and indict them for their puny faith? Firstly, how could anyone form their mouths to indict Jesus of not caring. He robed himself in flesh and dwelt among men not only to save them, but also to empathize with people. The text says of him that he could be ‘touched by the feelings of our infirmities.’ (Heb 4:15). However, most people would have to agree with the disciples. When you look at the facts, the disciples had good reason to be fearful. However, a more careful examination of “the facts” reveals some information that should have caused the disciples to follow Jesus’ lead and go to sleep themselves. What are they you ask? I’m glad you did; they are: 1. Jesus was “in” the boat with them. Shouldn’t the knowledge that Jesus is right there with you be all you need to be assured that everything is going to be all right? Of course! Could it even be possible for Jesus, the master of heaven and earth, to actually perish? Of course not!
Their fear alone caused them to completely disregard what should have been a reassuring fact: Jesus was in the same boat they occupied! Take note that the circumstances of the disciples i.e. the fierce storm, the boisterous winds, and the overwhelming waves were exactly the same circumstances of Jesus. He was in the same boat! So then all anyone should ever need to know is the answer to the question: “Is Jesus in my boat?” While the explanation of #1 should be sufficient, let’s enjoy a #2 observation. 2. Before the ordeal even began, Jesus gave his disciples an irrefutable assurance of success. He instructed them to “Go unto the other side.” Here now is the mother lode of the golden nuggets of this text: The fact that Jesus commanded them to “go unto the other side” was all they needed to hear, and why? Because the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power making it active, operative, energizing and effective! The Word that God speaks will not return unto him void. It will accomplish the purpose whereunto He sent it. (Heb 4:12, AMP, Isa. 55:11) All you ever need is a word from the Lord. Be encouraged! Faith in God’s word is no license to throw caution and reason to the wind. Faith in God’s Word is not synonymous with trying to make happen what you want to happen.
Faith in God’s Word is the steadfast assurance that if God gives you a vision, a dream or assignment, he will make a way for you to implement his instructions. God already knew who you were, what your strengths and weakness were and most of all He already knew his thoughts towards you when He called you.
So go and do the will of God. Follow his instructions and rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit whose job it is to guide you into all truth. Soon you are going to realize that Jesus not only calmed the storms but also brought you safely to the other side of your destined shore. God bless you.
