As we start another year, we have been impressed by the Holy Spirit that we are living in days such as those described in Jer 29 31. It has been a time when, for the Body of Christ, it seems that answers to many prayers have been withheld while darkness and evil have rapidly increased. Sometimes it even appears that we are in the hands of the enemy. But, ultimately, God is and always will be in control. And we believe the blessings described in Jer 30 31 are about to be outpoured. In a sense, it is the best of times and the worst of times!

The people in Jer. 30 31 also had been living in oppression, sickness, fear, and sin. Then God declared His appointed time for deliverance had come. But, the Lord said of it, "It is a time of trouble for my people such as they have never known before. Yet God will rescue them." (Jer 30:7) It seemed that in order to bring the people out of captivity, God also had to shake the captivity out of the people! They had made their own ways. God was no longer their source. So the trouble was allowed to become too great for any arm of flesh. They were forced to seek the Lord as never before. I believe that is where we are today but that is good news.

Through this, we can see that it is so important to God that we be God centered, that He will go to great lengths to empty us of everything else. It helps if we can understand this because sometimes, His methods will even seem contradictory to His nature. Consider Peter's great testing.

Satan had requested to have Peter to sift him like wheat (Lk 22:31) He intended to destroy this man Jesus had called "the rock" and mock God before all of heaven. According to much of our theology, we would expect Jesus to say, "No, Satan! He's mine and you can't touch him!" But instead, Jesus handed him over praying only that Peter's faith not fail (Lk 22:32), a prayer that, at first glance, seemed to have been ineffective. Peter fell hard three times! If that wasn't his faith failing, what was it?!

Looking at Matt 26:34 35, we find that Jesus prophesied Peter's failure while Peter firmly denied the possibility. Peter thought he knew himself better than Jesus did! He was full of self confidence and that was what failed. Jesus was not concerned about Peter's fall but about Peter's faith that it be in God alone. And after his fall, I'm sure Satan condemned him, making him doubt that God would ever want him back. But here is where Jesus' prayer had its effect. IT TOOK GREAT FAITH TO RETURN TO GOD! And Peter had it, just as Jesus knew he would when He told Peter beforehand to encourage and strengthen the brethren after he was restored (Lk 22:32) Who could better encourage the frightened, scattered flock than the one who had failed the most yet found God's forgiveness and grace still there for him. If Peter's own strength had not been forced to die, he could never have strengthened the brethren only scorned them.

After the resurrection, in Jn 21:17 we see the full effect of Peter's brokenness when Jesus asked him for the third time if he loved Him. A grieved Peter cried, "Lord, You know everything you know that I love you." He was saying, "Lord, I believe I love You with all my heart, but You alone really know." Peter dared not trust his own heart again. And it was to this grieved and humble man the Lord gave the commission, "Feed My sheep".

Have you asked to be used of God? Only broken vessels emptied of self can truly feed others with the food of heaven. Don't be surprised at the fiery trials which come to test your faith. Don't be surprised to find yourself seemingly in Satan's hands for a time. If you are following hard after God, Satan may desire you too. But remember God often uses Satan's schemes to achieve His own goals in us. That's called "taking the spoils."

Perhaps you are now in a place where you are thinking, "How could God allow this to happen to me? Why has He not answered my prayers?" You may be questioning God or even reached the point of denial of His Words to you. I believe the Holy Spirit is telling me to say, "Take courage. God is at work and will bring glory out of it all. Dare to trust Him. He will not fail. All that might fail is you and you couldn't do it anyway. Put it all in His Hands right now." For in our day of great trouble, we also have this great hope from God which I believe the Holy Spirit is speaking today "I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised... For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days, when you pray, I will listen. You will find Me when you seek Me, if you look for Me in earnest." (Jer 29:10 14) Yes soon and very soon, we are going to see the King HALLELUJAH! May you take encouragement and strength from the Lord and be comforted even as we have shared the comfort given us. We love you and remember you with thanksgiving before the Lord. God bless you in this new year.