“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
In a sense, like young adults that find they have a propensity to do something, a talent they excel at without as much effort as their peers, these came back elated.
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” (Luke 10:17)
If left unchecked, there might have been an opportunity for pride to enter into their hearts, forgetting where the power they had received came from.
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6)
There is more maturity, if you will in this account, it was not as if Peter and John were unexpecting the result, but it was accepted as a fact, if the Holy Spirit wanted that man to walk, He would walk. The man rose up, and those two went about their business.
“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1st Cor. 4:7)
There is a form of sin in the born-again believer who forgets that he can do nothing of himself, who forgets the One who gave him those talents and gifts, who begins to think of them as his own and not from the Holy Spirit. It is as a man who is born into poverty, attains great wealth, and then begins to despise those still in that state of life that he came from.
We can at times take for granted that which by the grace of God we have been given, we look for recognition, and stop pointing to the Almighty.
The world says, “You don’t know what you have until you lose it,” but for us who serve Christ, to forget the giver is to deny the gift, and it is the first step on the path of vainglory.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
It happens over time, recall that Peter and John were in that group that came back full of zeal, ready to go out again and perform more miracles, but one wept bitterly and the other was exiled. Yet they still served.
“In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;” (2nd Cor. 11:26)
From the very pinnacle of the mountain top to the lowest depth of the valley, that is where our Lord Jesus Christ walks, and we who serve Him walk with Him. And how are we expected to do that?
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)
At this moment in my personal life, I need to be carried, so to speak, the valley I am in is deep. But He is there. He is not waiting at the top of the mountain, He is beside me, and if I need to crawl because I may be unable to walk, He will wait.
As you look out on the world it is quite possible that you are going to lose that elation, that exalted feeling, if you will. Remember what He has had me pen here several times before, the wheat must be cast into the air several times to separate it from the chaff. And I will once again offer you these truths that have appeared in my life more than once, no matter the circumstances or the possible consequences to yourself.
We can do no less for Him who gave all for us.
As we travel forward my friends, the mountaintops may become fewer and further apart, the valleys may become almost unbearable. This too may be the will of God for you.
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” (Phil. 2:14)
But we will complain, at times, but not for long, for He who has promised is Faithful.
Think eternally, keep walking toward that straight gate, stay on the path, those still waters await all who do. We have been chosen to live in these days for a specific reason, do not take that for granted. Your elation will last forever soon enough.
