When I was a young man my pastor once told us, “I take action unless GOD stops me.” He was part of the “faith” movement and took pride that he constantly walked in faith. It sounded good at the time. Since then I have learned to do just the opposite and simply wait on FATHER to give me instruction to move forth in a certain area. Paul referred to Isaiah chapter 64 when he was instructing the church at Corinth:
4 For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him. (NASB)
In the 2nd chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul wrote:
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
In whom do you have faith? Who or what causes you to take action? It is my deepest desire to to the Will of FATHER by hearing and responding to HIS Word and not be moved by man’s wisdom, knowledge, and/or understanding. Everyone has an opinion and there are some who can be very convincing who will tickle your ears and stroke your ego.
After we were told to depart a particular church in 1996, FATHER opened up much revelation of HIS Word. In addition to the revelation, I saw many signs that began to influence my decisions. Those signs seemed to be beyond coincidence and probability so I took them seriously. I began to be moved by signs and would take action accordingly… to my sorrow. I learned a valuable lesson then- wait on HIM and do not be moved by signs. HE finally explained to me “All signs are of ME but not all signs are relevant to you. I will show you which signs are relevant.”
1 Kings 19 makes this point. Elijah had done mighty miracles under FATHER’S direction but had become fearful of Jezebel and retreated, waiting to die:
11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake;
12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
There was an earthquake and a fire but neither sign was a communication from FATHER. Only HIS Still Small Voice was to be listened to. In the days, weeks, and months ahead we must focus on hearing HIM, and only pay attention to signs as HE uses them to confirm what HE tells you and me. The signs should not cause you to initiate action. I believe that an “activation” is at hand but there also must be an “authentication” as well. Paul spoke of this authentication when he wrote “that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of GOD.”
FATHER is powerful enough to authenticate those called and chosen for such a time as this. We must wait on HIM and not get ahead of HIM. When Paul quoted Isaiah 64, he reveled a mystery:
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Paul included the revelation of Love to the Isaiah 64 passage, the key to waiting on HIM.