Stay in Jerusalem?! Run for the hills, or stay and watch Him work?

One Sunday several months back, about halfway through the sermon the pastor read Acts 1:4. At this point, I am sorry to say, I had mentally derailed. Don't get me wrong, our pastor is very engaging....sorry, Jason it's not you, it's me! (Actually, I highly encourage you to check out our online sermon log www.thecoastlinechurch.com. The Spirit is moving on the Space Coast, my friends!)

Anyhow, I'm ashamed to say I'm not really quite sure why he read that verse, but as I stared at it on the big screen I had one of those moments when something just jumped out at me.

This verse comes from the days after Jesus had risen from the dead but before He ascended to heaven. It says, "While being together and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave

Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Of which,” He said, “you have heard Me speak."

Stop and read that again. What?! Stay in Jerusalem? Do you have any idea what Jerusalem was like for the disciples at that time? These men, big, strong, blue-collar guys, were hiding in fear for their lives. Just a few days before they thought they had lost everything when the One for Whom they had laid everything down was crucified on a cross for all to see. Their faith was shaken to the core. Then, three days later when Christ rose from the grave, as He had already told them He would, their faith was restored, but their lives were in more danger than ever. They were being hunted by all of the officials and all of the guards. The most feared officers in the known world wanted their heads. People were threatened by Christ...just as they are today. When His body was gone the officials were willing to go to any extremes necessary to prove that the disciples were behind the disappearance. As the disciples were most likely making plans to "get out of Dodge," Christ said, "Stay in Jerusalem. Stay in the midst of your trouble. Stay in the middle of the hardest time of your life. Stay though fear so grips you that death would be a welcome escape. Stay in Jerusalem," He said, "and wait for what God has promised, which you have already heard from me."

 Wow! What a powerful message for our lives. We've all had those times where maybe it would be easier to just run away. We're scared or frightened. We just want to get out of the situation. We frantically look around, searching for a way of escape, but listen. Is Christ whispering to your heart, "Stay and wait to see what God has promised. The promises that you have read in my Word. The promises I already told you about. Stay and wait and see."?

This reminds me of another of my very favorite passages found in Exodus 14:13-14, "Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again. The Lord

will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest." (STOP.....Write this one down, and commit it to memory. Trust me! You'll find many applicable times to use it.)

There are times when common sense tells you God has provided a way out of your tough situation, and you need to take it. But there are other times when God wants to show you just how awesome He is, and He says, "Stand still and watch. I will fight for you!"

Only personal, devoted, regular, quiet time with the Lord will answer the question for you of which type of situation yours is. But rest assured, God will do what He has promised. The things you have already heard from His Word!

My friends, there is so much purpose in pain. Some times we must be still in the midst of it to see how great our God is and how His ways are so much greater than our own. See more Purpose in Pain posts HERE.