I was reading along in one of the prophets. He was speaking about what he had been told to say to the people.

I am always impressed and moved about how many times God told His messenger to speak things that were not often pleasant to the ear.

There were a lot of warnings; in fact, many warnings. They were most often instructed to tell His People just how unhappy He was with them. How many times they did push God too far.

He spoke of “those who have turned back from following The LORD.” That is a message all in itself.

They obviously had been following Him before, but something had caused them to stop the path they had been on and choose a different route.

It would be easy to lay these words on those of whom we have often called backsliders. In fact, the scriptures do use this term and God even said in one place that He would heal them from it.

But I’m impressed that there is more here. Might it also include the way we once had Church; following His Spirit there.

The next verse may lean toward that. “Those who have not sought The LORD or inquired of Him.”

Surely that relates to our personal walk and the way we go about what we do; the steps we go in and the direction we take.

But what about so much of the programs we see operating in The LORD’s House today. How much of someone’s own schedule and preferences have been exchanged for seeking the way the Spirit might want to go.

Do we wonder just when it was that man’s way took over control?

I’m reading there and all of a sudden, these words spoke so loudly as if to shout. “Be silent before The LORD God!”

And in a split moment, I knew it was speaking directly to me. Oh, I knew instantly what it was about.

It was concerning something I said to God last night during a space of sickness and bad time — and I’ve been repenting and asking forgiveness all day.

We often wonder why He doesn’t lift some things, why certain problems or trials continue. It seems they just won’t move, no matter what we do. It’s because we need to work through it.

There is a danger in getting over-tired and not taking a break when you know you should

I remember a renown prophet and teacher who told us about giving out too much of ourselves in times of operating in the things of the Spirit.

It didn’t make sense at first, but it did come to be real in many who grew and became equipped in those things.

I won’t call his name here, but another prophet who was mightily gifted, once spoke out directly to me. “We’re human Brother!” And I well knew why.

This is where it gets hard for me. Some of our folk who are in leadership, may need to shut some things down.

What has just come to me, is that it’s likely there are many who know better. We couldn’t have forgotten everything.

Too many of us can recall when the minister in charge and the entire building could sense the Holy Ghost wanting to move in a certain kind of way.

They called the entire service to a halt and said, “Let’s all just wait on The LORD!” And we did.

This is about following The LORD; about seeking Him, inquiring of Him our next move.

I was silent most of the day. It wasn’t that I had offended Him; He knows my weaknesses, my oppression and my faults.

It was to get my attention. I have to work through these things that have caused such heartbreak and suffering; He’s not going to take them away.

I’ve realized some things through much trial and error, about these days ahead.

If we are going to fulfill our calling and operate in the power and the genuine demonstration of the Holy Ghost, we’ll have to be stronger.

We will need to know when to halt, and then when to follow.

 

~ Robert Blackburn

---

Robert Blackburn

 

 

Back to Top