Mountain Sunrise

Remain in Him

      "I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man REMAINS in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NIV



 

       God doesn't want us to live life like a roller coaster. He wants to bring us to a place of stability so we can remain strong in Him. The word "REMAIN" means, "to be fixed, immovable, not affected by circumstances." In other words, always dependent, always listening and living in an acute awareness of God's personal presence at all times and in all places.

 

       Elisha exemplifies this well. When the king of Syria's war plans kept being exposed in his war with Israel, he was informed that it was Elisha that was warning the king of Israel of his plans. Thus the king of Syria set out to capture Elisha.

 

       Then one morning the servant of Elisha arose early and discovered that the, "Syrians surrounded the city with horses and chariots and a great army." Realizing that his head was on the line he woke Elisha in fear and said, "What shall we do?"

 

       Elisha answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 2 Kings 6:11-17

 

       No, we are not Elisha! But God is "no respecter of persons." Our Lord will do for us what He has done for His prophet. Elisha "REMAINED" in Him! He never allowed his focus to be on the trial, the difficulty or the unbelievable odds against him. He KNEW he was not in this battle alone. He TRUSTED in the God of heaven and petitioned his God for relief.

 

       Is that you? When you think about your circumstances do you see only the enemy's army, horses and chariots? Or do you enter into the warfare of faith and trust that God outnumbers your enemy in the present? Are you fearful like the servant? Or do you shake it off and step up like Elisha?

 

       When you lose your job or when you're told you or a loved one has cancer, are you the servant or Elisha? Which one exemplifies you the most? What about when you were cut off in traffic or someone spread rumors about you, are you the servant or Elisha? Do you resort to man or to God? Which one are you, God governed or man managed?

 

       It is said that, "Elisha prayed." Is that you? When trials confront you, when someone crosses you, when circumstances are poised to destroy you, do you immediately turn to God?

 

       Are you finding your stability in El Shadai, the all-sufficient one? He is there for you just as He was there for Elisha. Are you trusting in him? Remaining in him? Are you living in an acute awareness of His living presence in your circumstances?

 

       David did. He said, "I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand I shall not be moved." Psalm 16:8. When you sense the loss of His presence do you stop, adjust your mindset or continue on in your own strength?

 

       If you recognize you are not tuned in do you change channels? That is the key; yes that is the secret of deliverance, living like Elisha in every situation of life.

 

Finding it,

 

Jim & Sally         

                 

                     Jim & Sally Hohnberger
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