WARNING: Oswald Chambers’ writing (www.utmost.org) is potentially harmful to your fleshly instincts, and possible side effects include separating you from “the world” as Jesus increasingly becomes the axis upon which your life turns. For Oct. 2 he writes (partial):
THE SPHERE OF HUMILIATION
Oswald Chambers, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST
After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God.
We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God— that is where our faithfulness is revealed.
Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts. But God wants us to be at the drab everyday level, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship with Him. Peter thought it would be a wonderful thing for them to remain on the mountain, but Jesus Christ took the disciples down from the mountain and into the valley, where the true meaning of the vision was explained (see Mark 9:5-6, Mark 9:14-23).
“If you can do anything….” It takes the valley of humiliation to remove the skepticism from us. Look back at your own experience and you will find that until you learned who Jesus really was, you were a skillful skeptic about His power. When you were on the mountaintop you could believe anything, but what about when you were faced with the facts of the valley?
You may be able to give a testimony regarding your sanctification, but what about the thing that is a humiliation to you right now? The last time you were on the mountain with God, you saw that all the power in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus— will you be skeptical now, simply because you are in the valley of humiliation?”
THAT is God’s question to me and I hear two competing spirit-voices.
Ken
CLICK HERE for a printable pdf.
Morning Ken. I love Oswald Chambers. Such balance. Praying for you my friend. Bernie
Thanks Bernie. We need more words like his, today. They cut right to the core and bring life. Thanks for your ongoing prayers as I seek God’s heart about a new vision for this new phase of life for me. Elaine was such a partner in every aspect of my life and I miss her greatly, but I also have a sense of “God with me” that amazes me. “Amazing grace” you might say!