TV 1752 | Just Keep Walking Part One

I've had thoughts that have very much been in line with a lot that's been sung and nothing revolutionary but, you know, we don't always need revolutionary stuff. We need good nutrition, good food from the Lord and He knows what we need and when we need it. And so, I've just got several passages of Scripture that basically convey a certain truth, a certain principle that's very, very important, very central to living for the Lord in a broken world. And I guess the place, the Scripture that first drew my attention was from James chapter 5. And, you know, James was the natural half-brother of Jesus who didn't ever come to the Lord until after the resurrection. And the Lord made a special revelation, Jesus made a special revelation to him as to who He really was and He became the leader of the Jerusalem church. But anyway, this is a letter that He wrote. And in verse 7 comes to the central thought is this, be patient then brothers and sisters until the Lord's coming. Now that's patience is something, of course, we're all born with, right? We've got plenty of it. It's just one of those qualities that comes right flowing out of human nature and we're just great. No. This is very, but this is central, isn't it? And here you have this sense because it mentions the Lord's coming. It mentions that because it's a reminder to us that there's a process. There's something happening that is not on our schedule. We like things to be on our schedule, under our control, but nothing is. And God wants us to understand that and be okay with it and learn how to walk with Him with what He calls patience, okay? So there's an encouragement there to remind ourselves about the Lord and all that He is doing.

And then there's an illustration that follows, isn't there? And the illustration is a simple one that we all certainly should understand. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains, which was the way things worked in the Middle East. You too be patient and stand firm because the Lord's coming is near. And once again, you have this sense that God has a schedule. And we're told to be patient, but think about how this is from the Lord's standpoint. How in the world must He be putting up with this world? And you think about how the believers in the Old Testament had to be patient because there were thousands of years that happened there in their history. And you think about all that Moses was able to minister to prepare the people and to set the law in motion, but he also talked about a time and there was one coming. And you get into the Psalms and there's this sense that this isn't all there is. God's got something coming. And then the prophets. Imagine what it would have been like to have been a prophet in those days. You see what's going on in the world and you wonder what in the world, how in the world can we, you know, what's going on here? God, are you not in control? And yet they were prophesying of this awesome kingdom that was coming and oh, it was so wonderful. Think about somebody like Isaiah and what it must have taken for him to prophesy what he did to stand up against the wickedness of his day and to faithfully preach the Word of God, prophesy all the wonderful things that he did. And what was his reward? A wicked king had him stretched out and sawed in half for his faith. And he was willing to go all the way down to the end. Praise God. Is he worth it? Is it worth everything, to give up everything that this world could possibly offer if that's

what it comes down to? And ultimately it really does because our heart cannot be attached here. It has to be attached to him. But there's always the sense that there's something going on that is a process. A crop does not just, you know, you just don't put the seed in the ground and go out the next morning. What's wrong? What's wrong? You understand that there's a process. And so that's what the Lord is reminding us, that God has a process in this world and a plan that is being worked out and it's his plan. And he knows what it takes to fulfill it. You remember what Jesus said. kingdom of God was like, and I think it's in Matthew 13, you could look it up. But anyway, it's about a man who planted good seed in his field. Then while men slept, an enemy came in and sowed tares, it calls it in one translation, or weeds. And then everybody's wondering, what's going on? I thought you planted good seed. He said, an enemy's done this. Okay, then, do you want us to go and separate them? He said, no, you wait. Wait until the time of the harvest. And he said that he was going to send forth angels, ultimately when he explained it, he said, he's going to send out angels and they're going to gather the weeds out of his kingdom, bind them into bundles. What was the end of the weeds? Burn them. And then he was going to gather the wheat into his, into his garner. That's where this world is headed.

You know, the Lord's putting up with a lot, isn't he? But anyway, he has got a plan that absolutely is happening. And by the way, what was the field in that parable? The field is the world. That's what, that's the entire purpose of this world. It's not just to put up with a lot of stuff, it's to grow a crop. If you're one of his, you're part of that crop. He's God. God designed this world to do something, to plant his life in a people, to raise them up, to prepare them for something that goes on throughout eternity when all of this is burned up and gone. That's what the purpose of the world is and God has an absolute calendar. These are things we've said many times, but God has a calendar and a schedule and he knows what it takes to fulfill his purpose. Now obviously that puts us in a place where, okay, how do I fit in? How do I walk with this? How do I understand what's going on so I can, you know, I can flow with it? Because the reality is we don't flow like we ought to all the time, do we? That's why James would have to say something like this. Anybody here ever need a reminder, be patient. Don't worry. God's schedule is happening. He won't, you know, everything is going to be okay. Praise God. What a simple truth. And then of course he says, don't grumble against one another, which we would never do of course, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The judge is standing at the door. Brothers and sisters, now we have already referred to this, but as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. Everybody here who knows anything about the Lord and about his kingdom can look back to somebody like Isaiah and others and say, wow, isn't that awesome? Weren't they blessed? I guarantee there were times they didn't feel blessed. It took something for them to stand and be faithful in their day. And while we can look at the end of the story in a sense that they got through and now we know where they're at, where they're with the Lord. Praise God. We know how it turns out, but we're in the middle of it. We don't always think like that. And so that's why the Lord has to remind us of such simple things as this, all right? As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Praise God. Praise God. We've all heard the old joke about the judge. I shouldn't throw this in there, but I will anyway. But the judge who was sitting and presiding over a trial and the defense lawyer was going on and on and on and on in his closing statement. And finally the judge wrote him a note. And the note said, patience competition, gold medal, me, honorable mention, Job. Well, of course, that reminds us that we're not very patient, are we? But anyway, such simple things. But the Lord is so faithful, isn't he? To remind us of what it takes. Now, clearly what he's describing here as patience does have to do with time. There is a process, there is a schedule. But it also, because of the world we live in, it conveys the idea of opposition.

It's not just something where you, okay, I'll wait, and then we snore and sit in an easy chair. It's not simply a matter of time passing. There is something that has to be done during that time that is part of what God's plan is. And that means going against opposition and being willing to keep doing it, even when it doesn't look good, even in spite of whatever the opposition is. We still move ahead, we still do what the Word tells us to do. And you think about someone who is, very simple illustration, they're going to walk someplace and it's a distance. And so, built into that, you know there's a time factor. But it's not just that. Suppose there is a very strong wind that's blowing in their face. So what does it take, what does patience mean in that context? Patient means you put one foot in front of another. You know, I was asked for a title, I guess one crazy one would be just keep walking. But isn't that the simple truth of it? That's all God is looking for. Boy do we complicate this business of serving the Lord and He wants us just to, we know what to do, but we just keep walking. And that's, you know, patience, it's like faith. Faith is not simply a mental concept where you believe certain things. Faith, if it's not translated into action, what does the Scripture say it is? It's dead, it's alone, it's dead. That's not what God is looking for. But patience without putting one foot in front of another is not really patience because you're just simply waiting for something on the clock. But the problem is there's a goal, there's a process, like the seed growing. Now, you know, that doesn't illustrate particularly the idea of opposition. I guess it does in a way, you've still got to push up through the dirt.

But nonetheless, God is looking for a people who will absolutely persevere. And that's the definition of patience, really. It's just putting one foot in front of another and keeping on, keeping on. At times when we don't feel like it, it doesn't look like anything is happening, we're anxious about what about what happened, what about where we're going, and a billion things crowd into our minds, but all God is looking for is someone who says, I'm in the middle of something God has designed. And I have one job, it's to trust Him and to keep on walking, just keep walking. Doesn't that simplify things a lot? Now yeah, what is involved in our doing gets into various things, but it isn't complicated. It isn't complicated, all right? I'll just look at some other scriptures and comment. I don't have any particular order here, but scriptures that came to my mind, one of course would be in 2 Peter chapter 3, because this gets into the big picture, all right? Verse 3 of chapter 3, 2 Peter, above all, so this was kind of important, wasn't it? You must understand that in the last days, scoffers will come, you think? We got a whole lot of them out there. Scoffing and following their own desires, do you think there's a connection between someone who has that attitude of scoffing at the idea of a God who's in charge, before whom we're going to stand one day, and someone who wants to do their own thing? Of course there's a connection, isn't there? All right, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, where is this coming, He promised, ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. They're looking at it with natural reasoning, and just seeing the world go on and on and on, and they forget that God has a clock that is ticking, that He has a purpose, that the world is indeed temporary, okay? But they deliberately forget, deliberately is thrown in there for a reason, it's a choice that people make, to say, I will not believe in Him, that's a bunch of nonsense, forget about it.

They deliberately forget, what do they forget? that long ago, by God's word, the heavens came into being, it's not an accident, nothing didn't create everything, God did, and he did it by speaking, all right? By God's word, the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also, the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. Now, that's looking back, now what about looking forward? By the same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire. You want to know the destiny of this planet? That's it, it's got a reservation, it's got a date, got an expiration date that God knows, are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends, with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. You know, I thought about that, James said the coming of the Lord is near, well, 2,000 years have gone by, that's a couple of days, by the Lord's reckoning. The Lord knows, he's got the schedule, doesn't he? That's not up to us, most of us live and die within the context of the big picture that God has. But that doesn't stop the big picture from being true and real and the goal of being absolutely on track, nothing is going to interfere with it, all right? So a day like a thousand years, thousand years like a day, the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise. There's nothing holding him up, he's not saying, oh, I want to do this, but I just can't yet because everything is on schedule. Praise God, I want to just trust him, don't you? Because I can't, I'm not smart enough to figure any of that out. I can't even deal with myself, let alone everybody else and everything else. I've just got to hand the whole job over to him to fulfill his plan for the world, for you all, for me. Does he know what he's doing?

Is he able? Is he faithful? Has he promised? Can he lie? Wow, we've got an awesome, awesome God to operate our lives in this context. What a way to live is to trust in him, all right? So he's not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. Instead, so what's really going on? He is patient with you. So what's God's focus? It's God's, it's his people. You wonder why God puts up with the world and the way things are here? He is patient with you. Thank God. All that he does has to do with you and me. If God is waiting and putting up with the wickedness of this world, it's because he's still working in me. What a thought. And listen to what he says. Instead, he is patient with you, talking to the believers, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. You know, I often find myself saying, Lord, I am so tired of this world. Will you please hurry up and end it? But then I have to say, no, Lord, you do it on your schedule and don't leave anyone behind. Because that's the awesome promise of God. He is not going to say, I am tired of this. Forget it. The door's closed. I'm done. That door will be open as long as there is someone whose heart can be touched and awakened

and enabled to believe. Now he refers back to what happened in Noah's day, and we've talked about this many times. What was the issue? The issue was there was a handful of people, there were a handful of people, who could hear God's voice and were willing to obey what he told them to do. Eight people in that case. What was the condition of the rest of humanity? Only evil continually. They had lost, they had heard God's voice because it says he was striving with them. He said, I won't strive anymore, but he'd been striving. He'd been trying to get their attention and wake them up to the direction they were going. And they said, no, I don't want to hear it. Don't want to hear it. Don't want to hear it. And eventually the Lord said, okay. Because the. capacity to hear was gone. You know what happens if you create a sore place and you rub it and you rub it and you rub it. I'm probably not giving a very good illustration, but you can get a place, you can get something where the sensitivity is gone. You can be so scarred. Your heart can be so hard, spiritually speaking, that you can't hear anymore. And that's what happens. That's a picture of where this world is headed. I'm so thankful, Lord, if it's a hundred years more, I don't know what it is, God hasn't told me. I'm not worried. That's not my job to worry about that. If Jesus doesn't know, I don't, but what is my job?

Just keep walking. Believe in the process, understand the process so that I can just keep walking and I'm looking to Him and I know that He is faithful and I know that I'm one of His. He's not going to leave me behind. He's going to accomplish everything that He has purposed to accomplish in me because He's got a Son who has promised, as we've quoted so many times, to finish what He started. There's coming a day when the job that He has been given to do will be done and we will be presented before all creation as finished products. That's the whole purpose of this world. It has no other purpose. I don't care what men, you know, what you can enjoy here. I don't care what men accomplish, what they think they accomplish, who's in the White House, who's in whatever. Ultimately, the real issue is Jesus is on a throne. There is a kingdom that He is gathering and building and that is on schedule, folks. Do you think there's anybody who can interfere with God's timing and God's schedule? See, that's the thing. That's part of faith, though, is understanding that that's what's going on and that my place is just to seek Him, to do what He says, to live out my life, to become the kind of person that He wants me to be, to do the things that He wants me to do with the ability that He gives me. That's kind of the whole ball game, isn't it? That's what life, that's what this world is all about. So anyway, He is patient. Now we think about God seeking to, I mean, He's birthed us as sons and daughters. And we know that He wants to make us like Him. He wants to share His character with us so that whereas we live for self, He's a God of love and mercy, isn't He? By the way, you remember the 13th chapter of, is it 1 Corinthians, I guess? Remember what the issue was Paul was describing, Paul was dealing with the way that the Corinthian

believers were thinking. Oh man, we've got these spiritual gifts, these supernatural abilities, isn't that awesome? Speaking in tongues, prophesying, healing, oh my God, isn't that wonderful? And he says, yeah, that's great, seek them, but I'm going to show you something better. Because you can do all that. You could prophesy until the cows come home, I'm paraphrasing just a bit. You can prophesy until the cows come home, and if it doesn't have love, it's just noise. So it's not just what we do, but the character with which we do it. This has been the Midnight Cry broadcast. If you would like a DVD or CD of today's message in its entirety, please request it by program number. And while it is not required, a donation of $10 for DVDs and $5 for CDs is suggested to help with expenses. Also for those who request it, we will send you our quarterly publication, the Midnight Cry Messenger, free and postage paid. Send your requests to Midnight Cry Ministries, Post Office Box 685, Southern Pines, North Carolina, 28388. We invite you to join us again next week at the same time, and may God richly bless you until then.