Sunrise on the Glasgow Farm

TODAY is monumental. After 40 LONG days- Dale’s kidney stone finally left his body!

Why in the world did it take so long? Thousands of people prayed for him.  Some even fasted while praying.  He was anointed with oil by our elders.  We had great faith.  We believe nothing is impossible with God.  We’ve seen Him work miracles many times… Why did it take so long?

Job was a righteous man who loved God and lost everything.  In his desperation, he too wanted to know why. Why God? (Job 6:26-27).

David was crowned king and immediately had to run for his life- for YEARS.  In his desperation, he too wanted to know why. Why God? (Psalm 44:23-24).

Jeremiah was an amazing prophet of the Lord.  No other prophet quoted the words of previous prophets any more than him.  He was tortured and ridiculed.  In his desperation, he too wanted to know, why. Why God?  (Jeremiah 20:2, 38:6).

When Job, David, Jeremiah and Dale were desperate- they all did the same thing.  They sought God with all their heart.  And it was there that they encountered God in a way that they couldn’t have before. Sometimes the purposes of our desperation are to usher us into the secret place of God’s heart.  When Dale was at his highest level of pain, his spirit was so drawn to Jesus- that he couldn’t not keep his gaze on Him.  He encountered Jesus on a level that he had never experienced.  He said he wouldn’t take the last 40 days back for anything.  Job, David and Jeremiah said the same thing.

When God makes you desperate for Him and you have beheld His Glory in the secret place… everything in life changes.  You are changed.

One night when Dale was in his worst pain, intermittently he would talk about Jesus and the pain He endured for us.  At 2:00 in the morning, while Dale was in writhing pain, we took the Lord’s Supper together (I’ll never forget that night).  It was a terrible night and a glorious night. Our eyes were fully on Him and we beheld His glory in middle of the pain.  Desperate circumstances brought us into another level of glory that was unspeakable!

Dale said he’s a different man than he was before.  His glory changes us.

Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless you bless me.”  (Genesis 32:26).  What that says is, “I’m going to come after Jesus.  I’m going to chase after Him with everything that is within me and I’m not going to give up—ever.  I’m going to hold on to the promise.  I’m going to stay in His face.  I’m going to seek His resurrection power in this circumstance that isn’t resolving.  I don’t understand why this hasn’t been answered but I’m not giving up until it is.  As long as I have breath in my carcass, I’m coming after Jesus with every ounce of strength I’ve got.  I must gain Christ!

“That’s the unrelenting determination of the saint who is embracing the Job crucible properly.  This kind of tenacity makes for what is called a dangerous Christian.  This is the kind of saint that causes the minions of hell to tremble in fear and trepidation- for they are beholding another Job.  They are beholding a man or woman determined to persevere in the face of God until He completes His purposes in their life.”    Bob Sorge

Once a saint emerges from the crucible, an unstoppable warrior rises from the ashes.  Oh my goodness…  God is our shield and there is no fear.  In our desperation, we find the entrance into the secret place of God’s heart.  (Psalm 91).  The shaking and pruning seem torturous but without it, we rarely find that entry way to the most secret place of the Most High.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Have you had a circumstance lately that you’ve asked God, why? Leave a one word comment below- we’ll pray for you! He Gives His Angels Charge Over You