by Tony Clark
Refined. Efficient. Wastage minimized. Increase. God is Perfect. Excavation of hidden things. Revealed.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Prov 25:2
Sometimes we see something in God but it’s vague and difficult to really grab a hold of and inspect thoroughly so that we can understand it clearly, but I feel the Lord is requiring some of us to put some extra effort into this area. In times past it has been very easy to get revelation and to understand what God is saying, but I feel that we are in a season that requires excavation of truth, and effort in the area of prayer and the process of wrestling with the things that the Lord has for us to find – Similar to when Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. It’s like they are just below the surface and we need to dig them up. I sense that part of this is to do with coming out of lethargy and becoming more active, in ourselves, exercising our inward parts. Part of the reason we have become fat is because we have had things handed to us on a platter and haven’t had to work for our food – which has its place but should not take the place of hard earned work.
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thess 2:10
We have been fed and have grown fat like a man that sits on the couch all day eating fast food though. It’s been too easy, but we have entered a time that if we don’t actively participate in working for our food that we will go hungry. Gone are the days of being spoon fed and expecting everything to be done for us. The result will be a great increase to our overall HEALTH if we act on this – not just in our spirits but in our bodies, and mind. I believe this is a holistic work that God is doing to affect the whole body, mind, soul and spirit of the believer. Lethargy is a killer, we need to be active and exercise otherwise we will be prone to all kinds of diseases and disorders.
Just like the man that bought the field in Matt 13:44, it would have taken excavation to bring the treasure out so that it can benefit him. It’s no good to us in the ground.
This word doesn’t just apply to Prophets and revelation of the kingdom that is in our hearts but it is the GIFT within us that we are to search out – Christ. To each one is given a part, and it will require work to bring this divine deposit out of us so that we can shine. To one it could be to uncover an artistic talent, or for another, a heart for the lost, but whatever it is, the important thing that I feel God emphasizing is that the Holy Spirit will partner with us in this. We have been given gifts in Christ, graces, but it is by the Holy Spirit that we are to function. I see Him extremely active in this process, not just helping us but partnering with us in the work, co-labouring. He really is a worker.
I believe in the next season, if we are mindful of this, the Holy Spirit will become very real to us and we will become very aware of His Person. The Holy Spirit is not off attending to other things, we have His attention, He is ready - always ready to go. Sometimes it can take us a long time to get focused and be ready to do what it is we are required to do in God, but HE is always ready, He is so disciplined, that at any given moment, at a moment’s notice He is ready to deliver, like the perfect employee in an organisation. And I believe that this is the work that He wants to complete in us, that we would be ready, it is the Apostolic burden. And it is an Apostolic trait. And we are called to be an Apostolic people.