NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT!
Several years ago, I was going through an excruciating, life-altering ordeal. I knew the truth! I knew that a grave injustice was being inflicted on me and my family, I knew it was going to cost me literally, everything. Every working relationship, almost every friendship, the good opinion and respect of thousands of people. I would lose my livelihood, my prestige, my place of leadership, my life’s work, everything.
However, I also knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what God was directing me to do in the situation. I knew I could not compromise with a lie, I knew I could not compromise with evil, I knew I could not compromise with the unbiblical decisions that were being made. I knew I needed to resign, in spite of all the pressures being placed upon me, no matter what the consequences, though it broke my heart to see what was unfolding, I knew exactly what God wanted me to do.
Several days after I resigned, a man I had worked with for over 30 years, wrote to me, and said, “Mark, I want you to know I will not give you my blessing.” This was another deep, painful blow, as days earlier he had expressed his full support. But in addition to this, over the days and weeks that followed this man then made very slanderous statements about me to many others, writing things to them that were extremely detrimental to my life. I knew that no matter what it cost me, I must and would honor God with my life and my decisions. My only hope was God.
As I sat in my office, with the weight of all of this pressing down on my shoulders, I cried out, “Lord, nothing is more important to me than the blessing of God! Your blessing, Lord, is all I seek!”
Friends, this is the absolute truth. Nothing is more important than the blessing of God in your life. Nothing! It has been almost 4 years now since all that unfolded, and still every single day, I rise early to go on my hour prayer walk, and with all my heart, I cry out to God asking for His blessing. In fact, that has been my practice for decades. God has answered in countless and marvelous ways. I am utterly amazed at the faithfulness and blessings of God in my life and my situation. I am astounded by what God has done in the last 42 months.
Every single morning, during my prayer walk, I lift up so many of you by name, praying over your life, your situation, your family and asking God to bless you, again, and again. I regularly hear from many of you, the direct and specific answer to those prayers, in how God has just blessed you and answered prayer. How I rejoice at the blessings of God in your life.
Many years ago, there was a particular Bible story that left a deep, permanent impression on my soul. I determined that day to make it my story.
There was a man named Jacob, he was not a perfect man, nor did he do everything right. I could certainly relate. One night God came to Jacob at his camp. He began to wrestle with Jacob and Jacob wrestled back. Then the scripture says this “When the man saw that He couldn’t win the match, he struck Jacob’s hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket. Then the man said ”Let me go, for it is dawn.” Then Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “It is now Israel because you wrestled with God and man and have won.”
This story changed my life. I determined that I would be a man who wrestled with God in prayer, every day of my life, crying out to God for His blessing. His blessing on every single thing in my life is more important than anything else in the world to me. His approval, His favor, is more important to me than the favor of all the men in the world.
The Bible states clearly, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich. The blessing of the Lord is our greatest wealth.” Moses cries out in Ps. 90:17 “And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful.”
You see my friends, God is everything. God’s blessing defies the market forces of this world. God’s blessing defies the natural laws of life. God’s blessing overrides all the curses and injustices of man. God is supreme, and God will honor those who honor Him, who seek Him with all their heart for His blessing. Who put their hope in His unfailing love, and His faithfulness.
Today, do not be crushed or despair at the rejection by others in your life. Cry out to God today! Wrestle with God today, and seek His blessings, ask for His blessings. God is all that matters! Nothing is more important than the blessing of God on your life, and your situation.
The blessing of God, but the curse of man, is far, far greater, than the blessing of all men, but the curse of God!
When God blesses you, He will move the right people to show you favor.
How I praise God for each and every one of you, who have shown me your favor, your support, your love, your generosity and have also subscribed to this weekly article. I do not take one of you for granted, I thank God for you every single day, you are all a tremendous blessing from God to me.
God be gracious to us, and bless us, and cause your face to shine upon us! Ps. 67:1
Please listen to this message, It is about the God Wrestler! It will encourage and inspire you.
https://strongdisciple.com/
Helping you become a Strong Disciple,
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Mark Darling
