obedience & endurance: the revelation of God in silence

Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
but blessed is he who keeps the law.

When it becomes difficult to see God moving and working in the trials of life, when His direction and plan seem unclear at best, when our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, people often abandon His ways and neglect their spiritual disciplines. These are not the times to get lazy or self-serving in our practices but a call to even greater discipline. God reveals Himself in the midst of trial when we faithfully endure hardship, identifying with His Son Jesus Christ through obedience and perseverance. This is not because God wills for us to suffer (though it is a part of His will), but because there is true blessing, joy, peace and contentment in participating in the divine nature of Christ by joining Him is His suffering.

Romans 8:17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

2 Corinthians 1:5
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Revelation, blessing, joy, peace and contentment come through suffering by obedience and endurance when we join Christ in His suffering and identify with Him.

Father, grant me the discipline to endure and obey even when I don't see or understand Your will for my life. Teach me to be faithful and to identify Your presence and blessing in obedience. Let me know Your presence in trials and be content to have You with me there, even if I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Let me be content to identify with Your Son Jesus Christ and to be a tool of revelation for others. Let me take Joy in this alone. Amen.