Missing Divine Appointments
The Paradoxical Ways of the Kingdom
The Puritans wisely warned us that "our affections can bribe our discernment." This statement rings true today, reminding us how easily our biases and preconceived notions can distort our judgment. In doing so, we risk missing how God is working in our lives.
The ways of the Kingdom of God are fundamentally contrary to human understanding, often paradoxical to our logic. Divine paradox is not an occasional phenomenon in the Christian life but a constant undercurrent that flows through Scripture and spiritual wisdom, guiding believers to think and live beyond the natural.
God's Kingdom Operates on Paradoxical Principles
Throughout the Bible, we see that God's methods and principles often contradict worldly logic. These divine paradoxes are not exceptions but foundational rules in the Kingdom of God. For instance:
- "The last shall be first, and the first last" (Matthew 20:16).
- "Strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise" (1 Corinthians 1:27).
- "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39).
- "The greatest among you must be your servant" (Matthew 23:11).
Failing to embrace these paradoxes can lead us to misinterpret God's activity in our lives and the world. We may overlook His work when it doesn't align with our expectations of success or power.
Missing Divine Appointments
A crucial way we often miss God's activity is by failing to recognize the people He sends into our lives. Divine appointments may go unnoticed because we expect God's messengers to appear differently. These individuals, operating on Kingdom principles, may offer insights we need to understand the times and align with God's purposes.
The Gospel of John highlights this human tendency to overlook what God is doing, with an example that is nothing less than shocking: the failure of the Jews to recognize the Messiah Himself! Speaking of Jesus' arrival, John writes:
"The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him" (John 1:9-11, ESV).
This passage refers to Jesus, the very Son of God, walking the earth in the days of His flesh. Despite fulfilling centuries of prophecy and being the Creator of the world, many people failed to recognize Him as the Messiah. The fact that His own people—those who should have been most attuned to His coming—did not receive Him is staggering. It is a sobering reminder that human beings can be so bound by their expectations or assumptions that they fail to see the profound spiritual realities before them.
The Power of Discernment and the Need for Spiritual Depth
Discernment is essential to uncover the treasures God has hidden for us in Christ. The Apostle Paul reveals in Colossians 2:3 that "in [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." This hidden nature is not to keep them from us but to invite us into a deeper pursuit of God's wisdom.
The Greek term for "hidden" suggests something concealed that must be discovered, not kept secret forever. As Jesus said, "For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light" (Mark 4:22). God does not hide His treasures from us; rather, He hides them for us. They are waiting to be uncovered by those who earnestly seek after Him.
Proverbs 2:4-5 calls us to seek wisdom "as for silver" and search for it "as for hidden treasure." This pursuit requires dedication, perseverance, and spiritual hunger. Just as someone would spare no effort to unearth a hidden fortune, we are called to pursue God's wisdom with intensity. Unfortunately, many believers leave these treasures buried because they fail to discern their true value.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Discernment
True spiritual discernment comes through the Holy Spirit, who opens our eyes to see what God has given us in Christ. Paul prayed that believers would receive "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know...what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:17-18). Without the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can easily overlook the blessings and callings that God has placed in our lives.
When we grasp the value of what we have in Christ, it changes everything. Like Paul, we will gladly forsake anything that hinders our pursuit of Him. Paul himself declared, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8, ESV). This mindset enables us to value spiritual treasures and discern the people or moments God uses to shape our journey.
Seeing What Others Can’t
God's chosen messengers often come in unexpected forms, challenging our assumptions. One example of this is Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul. Initially, the early church was hesitant to accept him due to his history as a persecutor of Christians. It took Barnabas, a man of discernment, to recognize the transformation God had worked in Saul's life and to bring him into fellowship with the apostles.
Likewise, we must cultivate an openness to those who may not fit our preconceived notions of spiritual authority or influence. The next person we encounter may carry a divine message or purpose that could radically impact our lives. Without discernment, we may dismiss them too quickly, missing out on a blessing or a critical piece of God's plan for us.
Cultivating Discernment
As we delve deeper into the concept of spiritual discernment and its role in uncovering the hidden treasures of God's Kingdom, it's crucial to address the significant challenge posed by our own affections and biases. These personal inclinations often act as a veil, obscuring our ability to perceive and understand God's will clearly.
Remember the words of the Puritans: Our affections and biases "bribe our discernment," leading us to favor interpretations and paths that align with our preconceived notions or desires rather than with God's truth. This phenomenon can cause us to overlook or misinterpret the very treasures and opportunities God has placed before us, simply because they don't match our expectations or preferences.
This is where the profound wisdom of Christ found in John 7:17 becomes particularly relevant. Jesus states, "Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own." This verse highlights a fundamental principle: true discernment is intrinsically linked to our willingness to align ourselves with God's will.
To have clear discernment, we must be prepared to set aside our own agendas and biases. It's not merely about intellectual understanding or theological knowledge; it's about a heart posture of surrender and obedience to God. When we commit ourselves to doing God's will, even before we fully understand it, we position ourselves to receive greater clarity and insight.
This willingness to do God's will opens our spiritual eyes to recognize the hidden treasures of the Kingdom, even when they come in unexpected "packages." It enables us to see beyond surface-level appearances and cultural expectations, allowing us to perceive the true value of the people, experiences, and opportunities God brings into our lives.
As we grow in this kind of discernment:
1. We become more attuned to the Holy Spirit's leading, recognizing His gentle prompts and guidance in our daily lives.
2. We develop a deeper appreciation for God's Word, finding layers of meaning and application that we might have previously overlooked.
3. We learn to value wisdom that may seem foolish to the world but is profoundly impactful in God's Kingdom economy.
4. We become more adept at recognizing God's hand at work in seemingly ordinary or challenging circumstances.
5. We grow in our ability to discern between truth and deception, especially in matters of spiritual importance.
Summary
By consistently seeking God's wisdom, remaining open to His leading, and committing ourselves to do His will, we position ourselves to receive the fullness of what God has hidden for us in Christ. This journey of growing discernment allows us to uncover the true richness of our spiritual inheritance.
As we apply these Kingdom principles in our lives, we experience personal transformation. Our perspectives shift, our priorities align more closely with God's heart, and our actions begin to reflect His character more accurately. This transformation not only enriches our own spiritual journey but also equips us to be more effective instruments in advancing God's purposes on the earth.
In essence, by cultivating spiritual discernment through a willingness to do God's will, we unlock a deeper understanding of the Kingdom's hidden treasures. This understanding empowers us to live lives of greater impact and purpose, fully embracing the spiritual inheritance that God has prepared for us in Christ.
Invite Glenn Bleakney to speak - https://AwakeNations.org
Watch Kingdom Community Television https://KingdomCommunity.tv
Coming soon! Join our network! Message me for more information!
Very Powerful 🔥🔥🔥