by Amber Galiher
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
II Corinthians 12:9
I was sitting in a college classroom and the instructor called me out in front of everyone and told me I would never be a Kindergarten teacher because I wore a skirt. I did not laugh at her or rebuke her for the attitude she had against me, I sat quietly and just looked at her. She continued on with her lesson but those words had bothered me. It was my dream to teach Kindergarten and she knew it. I started to pray right then that God would lead my steps into what He wanted me to do. It often seems that evil has taken over our world and we are helpless in the face of such destruction. They laugh and blaspheme God as we strive to stand for the right. It can be hard for us to stand strong when they gleefully enjoy putting us in awkward situations to see what we will do. This is not a new problem. Throughout the Bible, men and women of God were faced with these same issues. I am reminded of the story of Hezekiah, in the book of Isaiah, Chapter 37, when he received word that Sennacherib was coming to destroy Israel. Sennacherib was conquering everyone, and Hezekiah was scared. Hezekiah asked his men to call on Isaiah to see what God had to say and word was sent back that God would protect Israel. Sennacherib, upon hearing what Israel’s God said, laughed and wrote a letter back outlining how mighty he was and how he had destroyed other nations and their gods. He blasphemed God, saying there was nothing God could do and for Israel to trust in God would prove futile.
Have you ever been there? God has called you to do something for him, but fear has risen to choke out the faith that was there. The world would love to see us fail and in fact, many are trying their best to see us fail, but as children of God we have been promised victory. It says in Rom 8:31, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” This chapter is full of the power that God gives to us when we are His children, doing his will! God did not tell us it would be easy, but he did promise that He would always be there. Hebrews 13:5-6, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Hezekiah did exactly what I would have done. He forgot that God had already said He would protect Israel, he ran to the altar with the letter from Sennacherib and started praying like never before. I am so glad that God understands our weaknesses and doesn’t ignore us when we need reassurance.
I have called on him so many times, yet He never tells me to leave Him alone and instead, fills me with a peace that only God can give.
God heard Hezekiah and sent a message with the exact details of how He was going to protect Israel and defeat Sennacherib. I believe God knew from the beginning exactly how He was going to destroy Sennacherib, but He decided to let Hezekiah wait to get the details. Hezekiah was once again filled with faith and he saw God deliver Israel exactly as God said He would.
In our lives, God already knows how He is going to work out every situation. He knows the beginning and the end. He has not allowed me to see how He is going to work it all out, like He did for Hezekiah, but I can trust Him that no matter what others say or do, He will lead me to victory. There are many people who have said, “If God really loves you, then why has He not answered this prayer,” or, “Why has He allowed them to treat you like that.” While we may not be able to answer those questions at this time, we can rest assured that He is working it all for our good. Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
What is God leading you to do? What are the obstacles that are standing in your way? What has the devil lied to you about, trying to discourage your walk with God?
While you may see the enemy rushing in, do not forget the God you serve is all powerful and He will stand by you.
Isaiah 59:19, “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”
I am a witness to God’s faithfulness. That same college instructor who tried to humiliate me, wrote me a glowing recommendation letter when I graduated. I was hired to teach 3rd grade and after two years, my principal came to me and asked if I would teach Kindergarten. I had forgotten what that instructor said because I was so focused on what God wanted for my life, that I truly didn’t care where I was if I was doing what He called me to do. My first day of teaching Kindergarten, God reminded me of the day she called me out. God had not only strengthened me to continue, but He had worked an even greater plan that I had not seen. Last year I was recognized as one of the top 7 teachers out 67,000 in the state of Missouri. I now sit on a teacher’s advisory committee where I meet with the head of education for the state and give my opinions. I stand here today because I believe Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
My life has had some wonderful successes but there have also been times when I was bent over the altar begging God to move for me. Currently, there are things that I feel God told me He would do, and I have yet to see them happen.
I will not lose hope. I will not allow the contempt of others to intimidate me and destroy my faith. I resolve to trust the Lord, for I know He will always fulfill his promises.
There is no one on the earth, neither devil nor man, that can stop God from working His will!
