Contesting for Your Future

by Rod Christensen

Immediately the Spirit drove (sent) Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. Mark 1:12-13.

Have you ever had those times when the pressures of this life crowd out the reality of Gods promises for you? Perhaps the vehicle used was sickness, relationship difficulties or financial pressures. Maybe it was frustration because what God had promised you seemed like a distant memory. You try and seek solace in the company of other believers only to find that they are celebrating the wonderful things God is doing in and through their lives. Deep inside your heart you feel torn in two, and ponder it is just not fair! I have certainly been through times when rather than experiencing the joy of God's abundant presence, I have felt like there has been a wall of darkness standing before me, and the Lord has seemed so far away.

Well, be of good courage there is hope. Often when we experience times of resistance where our circumstances are adverse, we can be assured, God has not moved address or changed His mind about what He has promised us. Like what Jesus experienced in the wilderness, Satan and his co-horts are resisting us.

During the time between the promise and the provision becoming a reality, there is a wilderness that we have to walk through. During this time we are literally contesting for the promises that are in the Father's heart for us. One of the major strategies the enemy of our soul uses is to hide behind the uncertainty of what is happening or not happening. Satan and his minions throw up smokes screens is an attempt to get us off track. These smoke screens touch our emotions and make us 'feel' like God has moved and we are alone. Today I want to throw a little light on his deception and exhort you not to fall for his lies any longer.

You are an Overcomer

If this is what you are experiencing at this time, I would exhort you to run back into the Lord's presence and worship Him with all your heart. You make not feel like worshipping anything, but remember you cannot trust your feelings because you are being resisted! Worship brings us close to His presence where all adversity must bow. When I find it difficult to worship due to the intensity of the opposition I put on my disc-man and sing along with the anointed music, as this helps me get beyond my own emotions. If you will continue the demonic smoke screen will go and the Lover of your soul will bring deliverance to your heart. The light of His presence will shine into the darkness, causing the darkness to dispel.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (overcome) it. John 1:5.

In these times the Holy Spirit wants us to learn experientially how to walk according to the Spirit and not by our soul. Once we are functioning in the soul realm the enemy plays with reality. Like Jesus did, we will experience kingdom in a greater way as we live our lives under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. If we allow Him to take charge of all that relates to us, the wilderness times will be a lot shorter and we will come out of them 'smelling like roses'. His plan is to move us from living out of our carnal nature, where Satan so often tries to keep us, into the Spirit where the promises have their origin.

The Bottom Line

Ok, let's deal with the how to. When you feel like God is not around and your circumstances are closing in and you cannot even sense His presence, know and understand that Satan is resisting you. Make a decision at this time to come before the Lord in worship and thanksgiving. Acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness for your life. If you have to, put on anointed music that will 'get you in there'. As you worship and praise Him you are engaging the laws of the Spirit. Pray your prophetic promises back to the Lord as a form of intercession. You may have to begin simply by faith ignoring your feelings. Remember God is a faith God, He always responds to our faith. If you will do this, not only will you experience Gods angels ministering to you, but the Holy Spirit will bring you out of this wilderness time so that you can possess what the Father has promised you. His love for His kids knows no boundaries and His eternal plan for your future and life is coming to pass.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11.

Blessings & Shalom