Leading of The Spirit-Part 14
Posted By on Saturday, February 27, 2016
I also wanted to see the Tower of Babel, and the ruins of Babylon. I was so anxious to see those places and now I had my chance. I was going right in that direction and thought, “Here is a good opportunity to stop in Baghdad and visit Babylon, the Tower of Babel, (It is just a mound now), and also, the ruins of the city of Ur.” I had everything planned.
Early one morning the Lord awakened me by His presence. But in that presence, there seemed to be a great disturbance, something wrong. I was frightened by it. I knew it was the Lord’s presence, but there was an element in it that alarmed me. I sat upright in bed and said, “Father, is anything wrong?” In letters this high, in front of me stood the word, Baghdad. Oh, so that’s what’s wrong? So, I eliminated Baghdad from my itinerary. I never got there.
I cannot tell you why the Lord forbade me to stop in Baghdad because I do not know. It could very easily be that He knew that I would suffer harm; I could be hurt or killed. Whatever His reason, He forbade me to go to Baghdad. I did not ask Him why. God is under no obligation to give an explanation for His actions, and we better learn that.
(Ironically) “Lord, why not?” That is an insult. I kind of squirmed a bit because I did not want to, but I eliminated Baghdad. I could say, “The Lord forbade me to go to Baghdad.” It is surprising how the Spirit works these things. I will give you another example.
One year I was in the process of making up an itinerary. I was sure in my heart of my general route as far as Singapore: New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Hong Kong, over to Manila, down to Singapore. I had a map of the world before me, and I knew in my heart. In Singapore, I did not know where to go next. I knew I could cut down to Perth. Australia is always open. All I need to do is tell them I am coming and that is it. It is an open invitation all the time. I could go to Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and work up maybe through New Zealand, South Pacific. I could do that perhaps. Brisbane is always open, Brother Short is in Tauranga. I could also go straight ahead through Europe, on the way home.
I was sitting there with this map in the presence of the Lord. I said, “Father, I just do not know which way to go after Singapore? Should I go south to Perth, work my way back through the South Pacific or go on?” There was no answer. So I just sat there. Do you know what it is to sit in His presence and wait? It is one of the great secrets. I would like to speak to you on that sometime. I sat there.
Early one morning the Lord awakened me by His presence. But in that presence, there seemed to be a great disturbance, something wrong. I was frightened by it. I knew it was the Lord’s presence, but there was an element in it that alarmed me. I sat upright in bed and said, “Father, is anything wrong?” In letters this high, in front of me stood the word, Baghdad. Oh, so that’s what’s wrong? So, I eliminated Baghdad from my itinerary. I never got there.
I cannot tell you why the Lord forbade me to stop in Baghdad because I do not know. It could very easily be that He knew that I would suffer harm; I could be hurt or killed. Whatever His reason, He forbade me to go to Baghdad. I did not ask Him why. God is under no obligation to give an explanation for His actions, and we better learn that.
(Ironically) “Lord, why not?” That is an insult. I kind of squirmed a bit because I did not want to, but I eliminated Baghdad. I could say, “The Lord forbade me to go to Baghdad.” It is surprising how the Spirit works these things. I will give you another example.
One year I was in the process of making up an itinerary. I was sure in my heart of my general route as far as Singapore: New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Hong Kong, over to Manila, down to Singapore. I had a map of the world before me, and I knew in my heart. In Singapore, I did not know where to go next. I knew I could cut down to Perth. Australia is always open. All I need to do is tell them I am coming and that is it. It is an open invitation all the time. I could go to Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and work up maybe through New Zealand, South Pacific. I could do that perhaps. Brisbane is always open, Brother Short is in Tauranga. I could also go straight ahead through Europe, on the way home.
I was sitting there with this map in the presence of the Lord. I said, “Father, I just do not know which way to go after Singapore? Should I go south to Perth, work my way back through the South Pacific or go on?” There was no answer. So I just sat there. Do you know what it is to sit in His presence and wait? It is one of the great secrets. I would like to speak to you on that sometime. I sat there.
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