My wife and I were talking the other day about this topic. Sometimes, it feels like we are getting further away from the Lord if we are not experiencing certain things. For instance, in 1994 we were with a fellowship that was experiencing the move of God. The glory and anointing of the Lord was so strong there were times we couldn’t even stand in His presence. As we were talking, it seemed like we had lost this. From Glory to Glory!

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Yet, as we talked I realized that we hadn’t lost anything but rather have gotten used to His presence. The scripture above talks about being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory. As we get closer to Him, His glory increases in our lives. When we are around something for a while, we simply get used to it and it loses its newness and feelings. It is kind of like dating. The butterflies in the stomach go away after a while, at least to a certain degree when we are together more and more. It doesn’t mean the relationship has grown cold, but rather we constantly go deeper and deeper into love. We begin to know each other better. The same glory is there with the Lord, we have become comfortable in His presence. We no longer have to attain this depth but rather, we can come into this realm anytime we want and of course, we can stay here.

It is similar to Ezekiel’s experience with the river and the Israelites with the temple, its outer courts, inner courts and the holy of holies. It is a journey and the closer we get the more we have to let go and trust in Him. Sometimes I think we get in a feeling mode. “I don’t feel His presence like I used to . . .” This doesn’t mean you are not in the same place although it can. Over the years, there were times I felt so close to the Lord I could reach out and touch Him and on most occasions He was touching me. Then there are the times of faith, when we are walking things out, dealing with deliverance, or are simply tired and we don’t feel as close. These are the times we need to lean on the scriptures that say, “He will never leave us, nor forsake us,” because He doesn’t. If we hold on to faith in these times with the expectancy of looking for what He is doing in these situations, we will find a new revelation in Who He is in these areas of our lives.

Let’s think back to Ezekiel’s river. Who in their right mind would venture out in a river and allow themselves to be carried helplessly by its current. We don’t know where it is going or what dangers lie ahead. We must simply trust in the hand of the Lord before we can even venture out. It is this way with some of the ways He tells us to walk. Why does He want us to do certain things or to go certain ways. Sometimes it is even foolishness to our way of thinking. However, if we do it, we will find that He had something special planned for us. We have to keep in mind that this journey is not just about us. We are a storybook and others read our pages every day based on the decisions we make, our attitudes, our love, gentleness, and our faith. We may be the only page they see that reveals Jesus to them. What will they see? Can we help them find the faith they need even if we are unaware of what is going on?

Why are you going through that situation in your life right now? Was it because of something you did that wasn’t a good decision? Or, was it something Father would like to take you through for a special blessing, not only for yourself but for someone else. A lot of times we look at the glass as half-empty. With the Lord it is always at least half-full and rest assured, if He is in the mix, it will be pouring over with blessings soon. The Lord is not like our earthly parents, He is perfect in His love. He knows what we need and He knows how to help us. In whatever situation you find yourself, ask Him to help you understand. Ask Him for insight. Ask Him for the strength to endure and win the race. If you trust in Him and don’t give up, you can’t lose. He always gives back much more than He asks us to give. That is simply His nature, granted it may take a while for it to manifest.

He loves you more than you will ever know. He has a plan for you no matter where you are in this life. It is a good plan. He desires for you to know His love. Ask Him right now. “Jesus, come into my heart and change me. Pour your love into me and make me a brand new person. I ask you to forgive me of all the wrongs I’ve done and to help me walk with you, to hear your voice, to feel your presence and to become my friend. Help me to become your friend.” He will. I know, he has for me. May the Lord give you the strength you need to overcome every situation in your life. Mankind and the enemy will lie to you, but the Lord never will. Trust Him, Jesus Christ!

“Lord, I ask that you help each and every one who reads these words to begin a new walk with you, a walk of adventure and getting to know you. Guide them into the truth and let them hear your voice. Keep them safe from the lies of the enemy. Help them be immersed in your love as in that river, flowing where you want them to go. Let them be able to trust you in everything. Let your blessings overtake them and let them become brand new. Thank you that you give them everything they need and lead them to others who may be able to help them also. Help them sense the difference between your people who will help them and those who would like to lead them down a different path. Thank you!”

Joseph