In the Middle

The middle is where we find ourselves after we have received a promise from God and are waiting to receive it. Sometimes in the middle all hell wants to break loose, which causes you to question if you heard correctly from God. This is when we have to lean on God’s Word in 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we live by faith, not by sight. Trusting Him through the pain, heartache, victories, and in silence – when you’re praying and waiting to hear from Him.

The middle is where family and friends who started out strong with you may dwindle away. Depending on the length of your stand, people may last in the beginning months, but walk away by the end of the first or second year, since nothing has changed for them. But it’s OK – don’t lose heart. God will never leave you nor forsake you. He is still with you and His promises are still valid. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? If God said it, it will happen.

What do you do in the middle? When I thought about writing this blog, I suspected it would be more effective to write after I came out of my present season; however, God reminded me of a situation a year ago when He delivered me though another tough time. My character was being attacked, the person was trying to take my livelihood, and alliances were formed against me where I didn’t know who was for me or against me. I was lied on, talked about behind my back, and then to top it off my Christianity was challenged. I remembered praying to God that He would remove me from the situation. A lot of us spend most of our time at work, so imagine having to deal with this day in and day out there.

Time passed and I was still there. The storms would cease and then rear its ugly head again. This is when I decided to ask God what is it that He was trying to show me. I felt at that moment that God wasn’t going to move me until I got it. So, I decided to get it! I turned my attention from the problems and decided to be obedient to God. During the middle I decided to do the will of God. I also prayed without ceasing. I found a prayer room at work and spent time with God. I surrounded myself with prayer warriors, and I allowed God to strengthen me though His Word and from being in His presence. I prayed and prayed and prayed and listened. I listened to God. When he wanted me to show love to the people who I knew was bad-mouthing me, I did it. When he wanted me to encourage people around me who were hurting, even though I was hurting myself, I did it. When He wanted me to forgive others, I did it…forgive the people who were hurting me and trying to get me fired, I did it. I read God’s Word and stood on His promises.

Then it happened. God delivered me. I didn’t stay there. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, God brought me out unscathed. What the devil tried to use to destroy me, God turned it around for my good. He receives the glory because I know if it hadn’t been for the Lord on my side that I would have crumbled. But I didn’t! I made it through and so will you. If you have never read the Book of Daniel, I highly recommend it. It’s here that you will read about the story of Daniel and how God delivered him from the lion’s den. It’s here that you will read about the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and how God brought them out of fire unscathed and raised them up.

You cannot depend on anything other than the Word of God in the middle. Continue to seek God in the middle and when you’re not hearing anything, just know that God is listening. Be still and know that He is God.  There was a time that I had to make a decision, but I wasn’t sure of what to do. The story of Abraham came to mind when he was tested in Genesis 22. Abraham got up in the morning and loaded his donkey and headed out in obedience to God to sacrifice his son, Isaac. The son God had promised him.

This is another powerful chapter to read. My prayer is that you will take the time to read it.

Abraham listened to God and God saved his son. Isaac did not die. It’s from this story that I realized if I make a decision that may or may not be the right one, that God has the power to stop it, just like he stopped Abraham right before he pierced the knife into his son (Genesis 22). He has the power to work all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). This is the God we serve. He’s omniscient (knows all things), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresence (everywhere).

Have faith in moving when you have to move and knowing that God is still in control regardless of what you do in the middle. We serve a loving God. He knows your heart. If you make a mistake along the way, He is faithful to forgive and put you right back in line to receive His promise. It will come to pass.

This blog has blessed me. I hope and pray that it will do the same for you. Stay the course and never give up! I’m still standing. I will not give up until I receive my promise.