For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2 (Emphasis mine)
All things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (Emphasis mine)
Intro. All of us as children of God want to be decisive and sure footed. However, very likely we all can identify with this statement, “I just can’t understand what is going on. I pray and read my Bible and do everything I believe God wants me to do, but it ‘seems’ like I’m not getting anywhere.” “It ‘seems’ like He isn’t listening or hearing me.” Life in the, ‘seems’ is a miserable quagmire. My prayer is that relating this experience will help someone in a similar situation.
I. How did I get in the ‘Seems’? Distraction
A. Looking at the past ie. Circumstances that we think God should not have allowed
B. By having no faith in God’s Word
C. By listening and believing the mocking of Satan concerning God’s promises to you from Hisand songs/hym ns given to you in the night season—Satan says, “God is not faithful, has left you.”
D. Time—“it’s taking too long, I must have missed God”
II. How do I get out?
A. Reverse what I did to get in. Start believing God’s Word—mixing faith with
the Word.
B. Believe that ALL thing really do, work together for good to them that love the Lord, to them who are the called according to His purpose. (Emphasis mine)
C. Do what Paul did: Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13, 14 (Emphasis mine)
D. Realize this may be a long journey
1. There must be fill ups all along the way—don’t mistake mini triumphs for
arrival at the victory. On a trip there are many fill ups to get us to our destination.
2. Remember, He ordains rest stops along the way. He knows when a break is
needed and He is working things to where we will arrive right on time.
III. How do I stay out of the ‘seems’?
A. Live and walk in the Spirit every day
B. Practice the faith walk—it is decisive and sure
C. Speak the truth—God’s Word in spite of your feelings or circumstances
Summary: We can be decisive and sure footed as children of God. We can stay out of the ‘seems’ by mixing faith with the living faithful Word of God and His character.