27.Mar.2008 Progressive and Unfolding Revelations
A lot of times when we pray for God to move it isn’t instantaneous. Most of the time God isn’t in a hurry to bring about his purpose. He is always moving, but is moving us on a journey to strengthen our faith. We stand on the Bible concerning the promises God has made to us. When we believe, our faith latches on to the promises of God. And the way in which we live our lives should be that “just because God didn’t answer my prayer immediately doesn’t mean I am going to get discouraged in my faith.” God is working beyond what I know. I know God is doing things in my life that are beyond my knowledge because just as much as he wants to heal me and answer my prayer, he is just as concerned with the journey and the work he is doing in me. Sometimes he is preparing me for things that I don’t understand yet. It’s not until I walk the journey of faith and pursue God that I find out what God is doing in me. Sometimes even more important than my healing or deliverance or moment of breakthrough is my journey getting to that breakthrough.
It’s like Proverbs says: money easily gained is money under-appreciated. When you get things for free or without work or sacrifice you tend to appreciate them less. The process of God is incredibly powerful, and brings about progressive and unfolding revelation. My revelation of God today is different than my revelation of God ten years ago. We have progressive revelations the longer we are on the journey and are following God. We have progressive revelation about God’s love, or God’s grace, or how God wants you to bring his kingdom to Earth. The more we spend time in God’s presence, the more we are healed and the softer our hearts become. Our hearts become more open to receive. Our of the abundance of the heart our mouths speak. The words of our mouth and our attitudes indicate what God is doing or working on in our lives. Our attitudes show where we are on the journey.
When God and his presence really start to touch our lives its amazing how freed we become. God’s presence causes our hearts to melt and we are open to learn and receive revelation. God wants to bring us into his presence to bring about change in our lives and bring about these unfolding revelations, like forgiving others or having a servant’s heart. Another one of these unfolding revelations is having a love for people. The more you understand God’s heart, the more in love with people you become and the less selfish you become. A self centered is a lack of revelation of God’s love, because God’s love puts others first. The unfolding revelation of love for people manifests in changing behaviors and attitudes towards people.
Revelation is progressive. Unfolding revelation is about my understanding of the nature of God and what God is doing in my life. When we understand that we are walking on a pathway, and that although we are praying for something specific, it may not happen right away, but it doesn’t mean God isn’t moving and that you aren’t on a journey towards a change and a breakthrough. I always want to come in faith and give God an opportunity to move. I have to keep believing and let the revelation continually unfold. God is moving because he loves us and wants to bring us into an abundant life. Following him and growing your faith is just part of the journey, and part of the unfolding revelation of His nature, His plan for us and His love for us. The more revelation we receive from God the more we want to chase Him, serve Him and love Him. The more our lives change.
Paul had a revelation of God’s forgiveness, and specifically his forgiveness of the Gentiles. He challenged the Jews and the early church who still clung to the law. He said the law is like a curse! “God gave me a revelation of forgiveness by faith and not by works.” As the revelation is unfolding, just keep moving. Whether things happen the way you think they should or not, just keep believing. Trust that God has heard your prayers and is moving in your life and just keep moving. Just keep walking. Keep thanking God. Keep your heart soft. Just because you don’t understand what is going on, God is always bigger. Just because you don’t understand what God is doing doesn’t mean He isn’t moving. Don’t stop – have faith – sustainable, permanent faith. It is freeing when you get to the point that you know God is bigger, you know God is moving and you are going to pursue Him no matter what. When you get in the zone, breakthrough happens and revelation keeps unfolding. A lot of the time the things you were praying for change without you knowing it.
