Gilded tombs do worms infold. -Shakespeare

That is, though a man be so rich, and full of pomp, that his tomb is gilded in gold, or some other expensive or precious metal, it does him no good in the end.

For, worms are no less selective when it comes to dead  bodies. They do not see, nor respect the treasures and importance that man has placed upon such a tomb. And in the end, neither does God.

Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. -Proverbs 11:4

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? -Romans 8:24

Everyday we are moving: we’re going someplace. We might be off to work, or returning home, or out running errands, or visiting friends, but chances are we’ll do even a modest amount of traveling in any given day. And, one thing that we experience nearly everyday in our physical lives can help us understand God’s ways and His will in our spiritual lives.

We can’t actually see the end from the beginning

If you’re in your house, and you want to go to visit a friend, unless they’re your next-door neighbor, you can’t see them. You may know the way to where you’re going, and it might be familiar to you, but you can’t physically see it from where you’re standing.

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What lies beyond the waves?

And on a much larger scale, consider the vastness of the oceans, and the great seas and lakes, which are so spacious that, even when we are standing on the shore, with a completely wide and unrestricted view of the water, we can’t see across to the other side. It’s beyond our horizon.

God’s will goes beyond our horizon

God has designed things in life to be taken one step at a time. One step at a time, and one day at a time. Each day is a step. Sometimes we can only see the very step that we’re in the midst of making, and nothing further. But God reassures us that we need not worry over the distant horizon, so long as we are walking step-by-step upon His path.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. -Matthew 6:34

God gives us a glimpse of the destination

Very often, God gives us a glimpse—a vision—of the final destination. It may be a ministry that God has called us to, or a burden for a certain people group, or any other vision of glory.

Paul had this vision. He had seen a glimpse of God’s glorious will for His life, but he didn’t know how he was going to arrive. He wanted to go to Rome. He saw the destination, but he didn’t know the exact path. Look and see if you can’t read into his hope, coupled with a bit of uncertainty:

After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. -Acts 19:21

What he didn’t know was that in the future, (as recorded later in Acts), Paul was to visit Jerusalem and get arrested, and arrive in Rome bound with chains.

God may not take us by a way that is familiar or expected to us, but if we are on the path of His will, we’ll get to our destination.

God gives us His Spirit and the Scripture to guide us on our path

The most important element to arriving at the destination that God has for us, and fulfilling God’s will, is to be on the path of His will. It matters little if we can actually see the final destination in sight. There isn’t always a visible light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. God’s “tunnel” is far, far too long to rely on this sort of thing. Instead, He desires for us to trust Him day-by-day in faith and dependence.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. -Psalms 119:105

God’s word is a light for our path, but it doesn’t necessarily light up the entire path at once; but, if we are seeking to please God, it is guaranteed to light up the area of our path that we need for today. His Spirit will illuminate the words of Scripture and give us the guidance that we need, for today. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

God is not concerned or displeased that we cannot see and figure out every detail and fact in our lives. In fact, He’s made it this way on purpose. He wants us to have faith. We ought not to worry or be discouraged if the way seems long, or doesn’t make sense. We ought not to be disheartened when it seems that things are not going at all the way that we had originally planned: so long as we are in God’s will, and under His authority. We haven’t missed anything.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. -Psalms 84:11-12

A Morning Prayer

We ought to pray, at the start of each day, that this day—as a step upon life’s path—is a step in the right direction. Just one step. Not a baby step, (unless you’re a baby), but a step that is fitting to where you are spiritually.

• If you are off and away from God’s will: a step back into wholeness and health.
• If you are hesitant and fearful of the way: as step forward.
• If you are in temptations and trials on the left side and on the right: a straight step.
• If you are walking in God’s light and peace: another step, and possibly uplifting a struggling brother back into God’s will along with you on your path.

And if we are walking this path of God’s will, day by day, we needn’t worry about any lack. God knows the way that we take, and He knows all that we’ll need on our path. We need only persevere: He will in due time give us joyful steps. We need only trust in Him: He will carry us through painful steps. We need only be courageous and put one foot in front of the other: He will help us through steep steps.

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. -Matthew 6:31-33

Could you stand to hear Me speak to you of something new and wonderful? Would you not doubt My voice, and seek many signs? And unto whom is sign language spoken? Even unto the deaf. (From Tears from a Lonely God – Chapter Seven: Wings of My Grace.)

Usually, whenever a sign is given in the Bible, it’s done to convince someone of something, and it’s usually done for those that are weak in faith. “Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe” (John 4:48).

So, sometimes God gives people signs to help them with their faith, and to convince them of the supernatural. But if you know that you’re supposed to believe something, but you partially refuse, and want God to show you through a sign, this is not pleasing to God.

Signs are a substitute for faith

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. -Matthew 16:4

I believe one of the main reasons that God doesn’t like us asking for signs is that it’s commonly used in place of true faith. God does not like to entertain the idea that seeing is believing. “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?” (Romans 8:24).

What God is really pleased in is faith, not signs. He is waiting for you to pray to Him, to fast, to study His word, and to wait on Him for His leading. I don’t believe that God, at least in most situations, is pleased if we refuse to believe His words, and we instead ask for a sign: as if by magic.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. -Hebrews 11:6

Let us not be like the doubtful Gideon, who indeed asked for and received signs, but let us be like the faithful Caleb, who eagerly said “let us go up at once…” Because even in asking for the sign, Gideon was apologetic and recognized that He was perhaps stepping out of line, (much in the same way that Moses was hesitant to go when He was sent by God from the burning bush).

Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more…” -Judges 6:39

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. -Proverbs 27:17

Here the benefits and virtues of friendship are extolled. There’s something about a peer, an equal—one with the same mettle and determination as ourselves—that causes us to be sharpened and made more keenly aware of our circumstances in friendship.

The same substance that can mold us for good can do the same for evil

It may be true that iron sharpens iron, but it’s also equally true that iron blunts iron. And—quite rapidly—our keen edge can be lost in the presence of ungodly friends. The same positive formations that can occur with godly influences can be seen doing the opposite for wickedness through corrupt influences.

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. -1 Corinthians 15:33

Here, the Bible is not merely talking about petty “table manners” when it lists good manners; but it is rather stating that wicked friends can corrupt one’s entire manner and way of life.

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. -Proverbs 1:10-19

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. -John 14:13-14

This verse looks pretty straightforward. Ask, and you’ll receive. But is it that simple? Is this really a blank check to desire whatever we wish?

Consider one of the New Testament’s most godly men: the apostle Paul. He had a “thorn in his flesh” that was causing him some sort of discomfort or pain, and He prayed earnestly to God that his illness should be taken away: “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me” (2 Corinthians 12:8). He even prayed three times, and how do you think God answered his prayer?

An unexpected answer

In a word, God said no. But it wasn’t simply a cold “no,” but it was a revelation that turned out to be even greater and mightier than Paul had ever expected. And God’s answer to Paul has also brought comfort and peace to multitudes of people reading his epistle years after he was alive.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. -2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Don’t be surprised if God gives an unexpected answer

The heart of the message is this: have faith in God, that He cares for you and wants the best for you: but don’t lose your faith in Him if He doesn’t answer your prayers exactly how you had expected.

If He hasn’t answered your prayers, then perhaps He has an even bigger and better plan for you than you could ever imagine.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. -Ephesians 3:20-21

For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. -1 Corinthians 7:7

Here, taken in context, Paul is writing to the Corinthians, and is saying first of all that he wishes that all men were as himself, that is, single/unmarried. Yet he continues and admits that every person has been given a certain gift from God, whether that be singleness, or a spouse.

Without getting sidetracked into marriage/singleness, I instead want to focus on another thought: that the holy scripture describes this as a gift. It is, what I would call, an inheritance.

God has given each of us an inheritance

Whether this inheritance is a spouse, or a set of abilities, or a ministry, or any number of things that can be given to us from God, each of us as Christians has been or will be given an inheritance.

Now, it is important to recognize this: that they are given from God, and not taken from another person. Each person is the rightful heir of their gifts. In its most basic form, it boils down to: “thou shalt not covet.”

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. -Exodus 20:17

An Old Testament example of territories

When Israel was going through the desert, they were about to inherit the land that God had given them. They were blessed, and Balaam the son of Beor prophesied of them, saying, “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, Neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: The LORD his God is with him, And the shout of a king is among them” (Numbers 23:21).

It appeared that nothing was going to stop them from getting what they wanted: for God’s blessing was upon them. Yet, as I wrote earlier this week in the entry A Blank Check, God only blesses according to His own will, and He only fulfills desires if they align with what is pleasing to Himself.

It should come as no surprise then, that Israel didn’t quite have a “blank check” to go where ever they pleased because God had already promised certain things to others. He certainly had a well-defined land that He had meant for Israel, which He would ensure they received; but Israel couldn’t simply walk into any land, and expect God to give it to them.

Take a look at the first incident, which was a land that was given to Israel’s (Jacob’s) brother Esau:

Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. -Deuteronomy 2:5

And in another example, Israel—being descended from Abraham—were also forbidden to go into the land that was promised to Lot—which was Abraham’s nephew.

And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession. -Deuteronomy 2:19

God respects His own boundaries

It’s clear from the examples above, that even after hundreds of years, God was still remaining faithful to the promises that He made to His people in the past. While He had a definite plan and inheritance for His own people, He still respected the gifts that He had given to others, and would not deny them or change His mind.

What good thing has God promised you? It’s important to be mindful of others, and not to steal or covet anything that God has given to another. As surely as He will defend the one being wronged, He will also surely cause you to find your own inheritance, in due time.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end. And ye shall call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. -Jeremiah 29:11-12

Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. -Numbers 13:30

These bold words were from Caleb, who, along with Joshua, was trying to convince his people (the nation of Israel) to move forward with God’s plans and inherit the promised land. I believe he spoke with intensity and urgency, because he knew that there had been opened a window of opportunity, and it would soon be closed.

Opportunity does not last indefinitely

Immediately after Caleb had given his charge to go up and take the land that God had promised, the ten other spies spoke up and began to discourage the people:

But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. -Numbers 13:31-32

And so the people became afraid. They despaired, and missed the window of opportunity that God had given them. And, on top of all that, God was mad. He was angry that they had so little faith that they wouldn’t obey Him. Hear God’s reply to Moses:

How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? -Numbers 14:11

And so the window was slammed shut, and they could not return to it until God opened it again.

What God shuts, no man can open

Afterward, when God had pronounced His punishment on the people for their fear, doubt, and unbelief, they started to change their minds. Once they realized what they had done, and the opportunity that they had missed, they tried to go back to the place that God wanted them to go. But, God was not with them, and they failed:

Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned. And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. …But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah. -Numbers 14:40-41, 44-45

When we are given a window, GO!

In all this history, we should learn that sometimes God puts an opportunity before us, and it’s up to us to seize the moment and grab it. Time is of the essence.

Take a look at one such encounter that Philip (the evangelist) had in the New Testament:

He came across a man riding in a chariot, and I’m sure that it wouldn’t be long before the man would be gone, and along with him the opportunity. But God spoke to Philip: “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot” (Acts 8:29).

And how did Philip treat this opportunity? He seized it. Scripture says that “Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” (Acts 8:30). And before long, he was able to share the gospel, and by a chance meeting, save another man’s soul from an eternity in hell. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35).

The key lies in being prepared

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: -1 Peter 3:15

It may seem strange, but those tiny little sins that we do, those sinful thoughts that we think that distract us from the Lord, those harmless interests we keep: they are all causes of our lack of readiness. What appears to be harmless one hour may soon turn out to be the damning of a soul in the next hour. We never know when a window will be opened before us, and if we’re not prepared, it will utterly pass us by in uselessness.

One of the most important admonitions in the New Testament for believers is to be sober. That is, we are not to be distracted or intoxicated with the lightness and vanity of this present world. We are to be serious about matters, and thereby well-prepared. God’s final judgment day is coming as a thief in the night: this great and awful day ought to give us ample cause to keep us sober.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. -1 Thessalonians 5:5-6