It's been kind of a byword for me recently, I keep coming back to it.
I guess the story of the last month-and-a-bit has been the counterattack. After getting incredible breakthrough and revelation of God, the enemy will do, and has done, whatever he can to make it seem untrue. I've been going through a fair bit of that lately, it's been a lot of ups and downs. But God is so faithful.
There's been a lot of times where I've felt like I can't hear God. A lot of times that I've felt like He is distant. A lot of condemnation coming in. I don't like speaking Christianese, but it has been a desert season. You know when everything builds up until you can't see anything good? I've thought about writing a new blog a few times, but didn't because I couldn't think of anything happy to say. That doesn't mean that there's no good in my life, it just means I haven't seen it all the time.
But I just realised something. How can God test us and build us up through the hard times if we're not going through hard times? It can feel like getting kicked when we're down, but I reckon God jumps at opportunities to work in our lives when we are broken. And it's not because he cares about doing His thing more than He cares about our pain. He does it for our good. He does it for us. So that's what He's doing in me. Instead of building me right back up, He's taking this opportunity to go deeper, shore up the foundations, strengthen and purify, so that when He does build me back up I will be stronger.
And even in that He does not leave us alone. I just heard a sermon that said, "If you feel like you can't hear God's voice, read it!". The Bible is flipping amazing. I'm reading in Jeremiah right now, and God just spoke to me through Jeremiah 15:20- 'I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” declares the LORD.' Jeremiah went through so much trouble and opposition, but God enabled Him to meet it. It's bits like these that give me confidence that if I hold onto Him, I can never be overcome.
My hope is in Him!
God bless, and thank you for your support!
Luke
P.S. Thanks for your prayers! Vehicles is starting to feel more comfortable now, I've learned a whole lot more about cars and how they work. I've been able to carry out quite a few smaller repairs, and get a couple of our vehicles roadworthy again, hallelujah! Please pray for continued guidance and grace- it seems that with every problem that gets fixed, another one rears its head. I suppose that's to be expected, I just need your prayers!
Also, my staff debt is going down, praise the Lord! He has been really faithful to provide for me, and slowly but surely the amount is lessening. I think it's around about $3500 now. Please keep praying it all the way in!
