While reading today in Galatians 1, I read about the Apostle Paul who is writing a letter to the church at Galatia. For the first time I didn’t see a soft gentle letter but an exciting sermon. He begins with grace and peace and honors Jesus who gave his life to deliver us from our sins. Paul reminds them that he is not seeking to please men, but desiring to please God. In verses 15-16 Paul makes a profound statement: “When it pleased God…who called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.”
flesh and blood
(with man)
So who did he confer (consult with, talk to about it)
He talked to GOD!
Peter has a similar thing to say in Matthew 16:17 “Jesus answered and
said to him, Simon (Peter): for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father which is in heaven. I’m telling you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
flesh and blood
There it is again…flesh and blood. In the passage in Galatians Paul has been called to preach the gospel and he wants to encourage the church. When Paul got his call, prompting from God to preach, he listened to God. I’ll be the first to admit, when I have doubts, fears, I’m overwhelmed, often my first thought is I need to talk to my husband or a best friend. And although I do need them, their support and to pray for me and with me, what I really need is time with God. My family, my friends they are but flesh and blood. Sure, they can hug my neck, they can listen in the moment, and can agree with me in prayer, however they cannot give me what God can give me.
‘God can fill me with his ‘perfect peace’. (Isaiah 26:3)
‘God can give me strength’ (Psalm 18:2)
‘God can give me comfort’ (1 Peter 5:7)
‘God can teach and show me how to forgive’ (Mark 11:25)
‘God can teach me and guide me’ (Psalm 32:80)
This list could go on and on for pages and pages. What God is showing me in this season, today, is to trust Him. When your heart is heavy, when you are carrying a burden that you were not created to carry alone, Go to God! Sure, let your friends and family pray for you and encourage you, but go 1st to the Almighty Creator, God; and allow him to be your comfort.
Flesh and Blood can’t fill your spirit with a perfect peace. So many times in my life when I kept trying to carry my load and I thought I would feel better somehow if I shared my burden with one more person. I didn’t. It was when I got alone with God and poured out my heart to him and allowed his Holy Spirit to comfort me that peace came. Did my problems disappear? No, but the grip they had on me, did.
Nothing compares to God’s presence and time alone with him. If today your heart is heavy and you’ve taken your situation to people (flesh and blood) and your heart is still heavy try surrendering it to God. Allow God, by the power and presence of his Holy Spirit to minster his healing and comfort to you. Let God show you his purpose and plan for your life; his wisdom and direction.
He’s waiting for You!
Blessings,
Jamie