Otis McMillan ~ There Is a Place the Lord Must Bring You
We read in Matthew 17:1, “and after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart.”
There is a place the Lord must bring you: God needs your attention; he has something to show you.
The Lord took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain apart. It was essential, for their effectiveness, that he reveal facts about him they did not yet know. It is important to note that they were separated from the others and it is not by accident that they journeyed to a high mountain apart. He had something to show them and needed their total attention.
Your usefulness in the Lord necessitates your continued growth. To aid in this development, the Lord will separate you from others, and take you to a place where he has your total attention. As the Lord brings you close to him, pay close attention, for he has something to show you.
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” (Matthew 4:1) Your temptation you are facing is intentional: God has a purpose for all he does.
The scriptures inform us that it was the Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness; the purpose being to be tempted by the Devil. It was neither a mistake nor an accident that this occurred. It allowed for three things to occur: Jesus demonstrated how to respond to Satan when tempted; the power of God’s Word; and the model that we should use when faced with temptation. What occurred was not an accident; it was intentional.
As the Lord allows you be tempted by the enemy it is essential that you recognize that it is not a mistake. God is always providing opportunities and lessons for the sake of your growth. Let your response to every situation be Word-based, and know that you need not compromise, for the Lord remains in total control. He has a purpose for what he is doing.
And the Lord’s help is always available to his children. God’s blessings are not temporary; they are forever. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
The psalmist notes where he looks for any needed help; his focus is completely on the Lord. It is with confidence that he places his trust in the Lord. His keeper neither sleeps nor slumbers. His protection is not temporary; it is always available.
In the life of any believer there are times of helplessness, times of uncertainty. It is essential at these challenging times that you recognize that the Lord’s help is always available. Stay focused on the one who never sleeps or slumbers, one who will preserve your going out and your coming in. His blessings are not temporary; they are forever.