Jesus often taught in parables. When I really need a Word from God, He often gives me a parable. With parables, those with 'spiritual ears' will understand what the Spirit is saying to them.
There was a man, who traveled far from his homeland to find work. The work he found required far less skill than he possessed, but he worked diligently at it and thanked God for the work. The people in this foreign land were very different from him and didn't like him. They mistreated him, taunted him, hit him and physically threatened him. The days were lonely and hard.
Every night he would pray for God to open a new door to a new job, new surroundings and a new life; but God would only say "They need you". After months of this, in his frustration, the man said "They don't need me! They don't want me! They don't even like me!" God's only response was " and you need them. You are not done yet" Then He led the man to Acts 16 and the story of Paul and Silas in the prison; reminding him to praise God in every circumstance. He accepted God's chastening and sought to always thank God no matter the circumstance!
One day, after several years, the man met a rich landowner passing through town. He needed a foreman for his ranch and offered the man the job. "Thank you Lord! Thank you for releasing me into this wonderful opportunity!"
His last night on his old job flew by. Soon night had fallen and he was taking the long walk home for the last time. But his co-workers who for years had hated him, were plotting to kill him. They took their last opportunity and began to chase him across the field. Running wildly in the darkness, the man didn't see the huge hole until it was too late. Laying at the bottom of the hole, covered in mud, hurting, knowing his enemies were not far behind him; he cried out to God " You answered my prayers, gave me a new job, a new life, you dangled hope and happiness in my face and yanked it away! Now my enemies come to destroy me and end my life! I don't understand!" God answered "Praise Me for the dirt." His enemies were now looking down the hole, laughing. "This is perfect!" they said "We won't even get blood on our hands! He's already in the hole. We only need to bury him!" When his enemies began to throw dirt down the hole, hitting him, he shook it off and said "Lord I praise you for the dirt!" His enemies laughed "Listen to him. He is crazy! He must have hit his head!" Soon there was a small hill forming as the man shook off the dirt, praised God for the dirt and climbed higher. As he got higher, he became quiet, pressing against the wall in the shadows. He continued to praise God for the dirt of his enemies, in his spirit. In the silent darkness, his enemies were convinced he was dead and left.
The man stepped out of his former prison, shook off the dirt from his enemies and walked on to the blessings of God for his obedience.
The very dirt your enemies are throwing, seeking to destroy you, will be your way out of your current prison. Listen to His voice, obey and praise Him in every circumstance! ~~ be blessed, Arlene
There was a man, who traveled far from his homeland to find work. The work he found required far less skill than he possessed, but he worked diligently at it and thanked God for the work. The people in this foreign land were very different from him and didn't like him. They mistreated him, taunted him, hit him and physically threatened him. The days were lonely and hard.
Every night he would pray for God to open a new door to a new job, new surroundings and a new life; but God would only say "They need you". After months of this, in his frustration, the man said "They don't need me! They don't want me! They don't even like me!" God's only response was " and you need them. You are not done yet" Then He led the man to Acts 16 and the story of Paul and Silas in the prison; reminding him to praise God in every circumstance. He accepted God's chastening and sought to always thank God no matter the circumstance!
One day, after several years, the man met a rich landowner passing through town. He needed a foreman for his ranch and offered the man the job. "Thank you Lord! Thank you for releasing me into this wonderful opportunity!"
His last night on his old job flew by. Soon night had fallen and he was taking the long walk home for the last time. But his co-workers who for years had hated him, were plotting to kill him. They took their last opportunity and began to chase him across the field. Running wildly in the darkness, the man didn't see the huge hole until it was too late. Laying at the bottom of the hole, covered in mud, hurting, knowing his enemies were not far behind him; he cried out to God " You answered my prayers, gave me a new job, a new life, you dangled hope and happiness in my face and yanked it away! Now my enemies come to destroy me and end my life! I don't understand!" God answered "Praise Me for the dirt." His enemies were now looking down the hole, laughing. "This is perfect!" they said "We won't even get blood on our hands! He's already in the hole. We only need to bury him!" When his enemies began to throw dirt down the hole, hitting him, he shook it off and said "Lord I praise you for the dirt!" His enemies laughed "Listen to him. He is crazy! He must have hit his head!" Soon there was a small hill forming as the man shook off the dirt, praised God for the dirt and climbed higher. As he got higher, he became quiet, pressing against the wall in the shadows. He continued to praise God for the dirt of his enemies, in his spirit. In the silent darkness, his enemies were convinced he was dead and left.
The man stepped out of his former prison, shook off the dirt from his enemies and walked on to the blessings of God for his obedience.
The very dirt your enemies are throwing, seeking to destroy you, will be your way out of your current prison. Listen to His voice, obey and praise Him in every circumstance! ~~ be blessed, Arlene
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