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Posted: 2004-06-26
Thru:
Maria Magruder
~2004-04-15
Mariam@lifelineoutreach.com
www.womanofthelasthour.com
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Then God Remembered
(Blue bold = Quick-Read / Editor's emphasis)
Many are called, but few are chosen. The "few" are the ones who "choose"
the call. There is a remnant generation from the Church about to emerge from unknown places that have been hidden for many years.
These few are the ones who have been obedient to follow God's ways, though they were not what they would expect, nor what they would have chosen for themselves.
As a matter of fact, these are the very people who are on the edge of their seat awaiting to see exactly "how" God is going to use them, and wondering "when" is that "set time" of
God releasing them. For many, the waiting has been almost unbearable, and yet they have been at peace with staying hidden, staying in God's perfect
plan and will. They have been "shut in" so to speak, just like Noah was "shut in" to the ark. (Gen 7:16 "...and the Lord shut him in.")
When God shut Noah in that ark, He shut him in for approximately a little over a year. That's a long time to be "sea-bound" in a big boat with the same people and a
bunch of stinky animals!
The ark, in Hebrew, means "box." Many of you have felt "boxed in." You have felt "boxed up," and you have been confined to walls in your
call. These are not bad walls; these are walls of protection and preparation. For the ones who would not submit to God's box as a set-apart time to Him are
missing what would have been the essence of the call; because it's in that box where He can pour into you the mantles, anointing, and giftings, and begin to grow you up solid in
His word - where nothing will shake you or move you except the Word. It's in the box where God takes you to the next level in Him.
My friends, it takes faith and obedience to God to let Him shut you into the box, to go into the ark. C'mon Noah had to be obedient
to build a big, huge boat when there was no rain. Noah had to be obedient and move by faith to go into the ark once it was completed, believing and trusting God would do what
He said He was going to do. He had to believe and trust that God is not a liar and nor should His word return to Him void. God will do what He
said He was going to do in your life and in your call! Glory!
So, we have you and Noah traveling along in this box, the scenery is the same every day, water and more water for as far as the eye can see - a good place to have a chia pet!
(Just add water!) And you are wandering for months, and some of you for years. When Lord? When is the water going to recede? Nothing seems stable in your
life, as there has been nowhere to anchor your ship, your box. In the box is quiet, just you and God, with His still small voice. It has been many months now out on
that water, and you are desperately searching for the sight of land, and still wondering "When Lord?" And are not hearing anything back! After a while, not hearing
anything back on "when," one may tend to question the call, question if they heard God properly, question what is really ahead for them, and even wonder if God may have forgot
them. Could God have placed you in the box and forgotten you??? I've got good news for you my friends!
THEN GOD REMEMBERED!!! Hallelujah!!
"Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth and the waters subsided."
(Gen 8:1.)
My friends, then God remembered YOU! God remembered that He has predestined and fore-ordained you since before you were in the womb!
Then God remembered that just as He chose you in Him before the foundation of the world, that He will fulfill His word to you.
Then God remembered you were born for such a time as this!
Then God remembered the specific call and plans He had made just for you!
Then God remembered all the mantles, giftings, and anointings He has placed upon you and in you!
Then God remembered that He has plans to prosper His servants and not to harm them.
Then God remembered how faithful you have been in that box. He remembered how obedient you have been to follow His
instructions and walk by faith and not by sight.
Then God remembered how, instead of you choosing to be offended, how you chose to practice mercy, grace, and forgiveness towards others.
Then God remembered that you have kept His commandment to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.
Then God remembered how you sowed everything you had to follow the call of God upon your life. He remembered how you have left all behind, how you have left the past
behind, pressing toward the mark of the high call of God.
Then God remembered how you have persevered through many trials and tribulations.
Then God remembered He has called you to a super abundant life.
Then God remembered you have been a God-pleaser and not a man-pleaser.
Then God remembered how you have not given up and have continually walked a life full of faith and obedience, and He remembered
when you failed in areas that you were quick to repent and move on.
Then God remembered how you said, "Here am I Lord, send me!"
Then God remembered that He called you from darkness to light.
Then God remembered that He called you according to purpose and divine destiny.
Those who have been in that box, surrounded by the waters, and have been faithful and obedient to stay put where God has put them, God is remembering
you right now! The waters are subsiding and He is getting ready to release you from that ark, from that box.
"Remembered," in Hebrew, means "to mark." For God has marked you this day! He has not forgotten you! On the contrary, He has remembered you. You have
caught His attention and will not go unnoticed or unrewarded. For those who have faithfully and diligently sought Him, the winds of God are about to
pass over you as the breath of God comes upon you.
Everyone has their own set time to come out of that box. But when God says, "Go out," its time to "come out." "Go out of the ark [box] you and your
wife and your sons and your sons wives with you." (Gen 8:16.)
When God releases you, and you come out of that box, you bring every living thing, every living creature out with you! You bring out to the
world, out to the body of Christ, every living gifting God has given you in that box, every living mantle God has given you in that box, every living Word God has given you in that
box; and you take those things and you are commanded to be fruitful and multiply, going forth to all the world making disciples unto all nations! "Bring out with you every
living thing of all flesh that is with you...and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." (Gen 8:17)
Also notice that Noah never came prematurely out of the ark. He awaited his "set time." He tested the waters
by sending out a dove. We relate the dove to the precious Holy Spirit. So we must continue to check with the Holy Spirit, as it is His word to us,
that He will guide us into all truth and tell us of things to come in the future (John 16:13). If we step out before our time, we will not be equipped
with the mantles and giftings that are needed to fulfill our purpose and destiny. For He has prepared a "place" for you, He has prepared a "destiny" and "purpose" for you -
and yet it's not about you or "us," it's about His Kingdom. It's about building His Kingdom with souls. (John 14:2)
The last thing you need to do when you come out of that box, my friends, is give God an offering! God doesn't command it, but I would strongly suggest you follow what Noah did. "Then Noah built an altar to the Lord...and offered burnt offering on the alter. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in His heart, 'I will never
again curse the ground for mans' sake...'" (Gen 8:20.)
Vs. 22 "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest..."
Noah's offering got God's attention...and God declared he would never destroy the land again, and He set up seed time and harvest time forever! Noah's offering moved God to set up
a system, where as long as we sow, there will always be a harvest! Hallelujah!
Remember: God has remembered you today!
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