with light, and the Angel told the man he had work for him to do, and
showed him a large rock in front ofhis cabin.
The Angel explained that the man was to push against the rock with all
his might. So, this the man did, day after day.
For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down; his shoulders set
squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock,
pushing with all of his might.
Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling
that his whole day had been spent in vain.Since the man was showing
discouragement, the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by
placing thoughts into the weary mind: "you have been pushing against
that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved."
Thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and
that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the
man. Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this?
"Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will
be good enough."
That's what he planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of
prayer and take his troubled thoughtsto the Lord. "Lord," he said,"I
have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to
do that which Angel have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not
even budged that rock by half a millimeter.
What is wrong? Why am I failing?" The Angel responded compassionately
, "My Servant, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told
you that your task was to push against the rock with all ofyour
strength, which you have done.
Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your
task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent,
thinking that you have failed. But, isthat really so? Look at
yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and
brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have
become massive and hard.
Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass
that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your
calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and
trust in My wisdom. This you have done. Now I, my servant, will move
the rock."
At times, when we hear a word from Angel, we tend to use our own
intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is
just a simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means,exercise the
faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves
mountains.
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