A LETTER TO A FRIEND

 

Billy Long Ministries
P.O. Box 147, Longs, SC  29568
www.billylongministries.com
https://blongoutofthebox.blogspot.com

The Bible says a word in season is good for him who is weary. Below is a letter I sent to a friend who was going through a rough season being wrongfully accused and hurt by those from whom he least expected it. This word was tailored to my friend’s specific circumstance, but may also encourage others.
Billy Long  
 
A Letter to a Friend]
 
Dear ______,
     I know that there are no simple answers or quick solutions to your perplexity and pain in this situation. But I think the Lord has given me a word that will at least give a little comfort until you complete this particular phase of your journey into the Lord’s purpose for you.
     During my prayer time this morning I was reading Jeremiah 15: 15-21 and realized there might be a word here for you.
     I believe the Lord did lead you in the path you took. He sent you to there to be one aspect of His voice and His word.  As difficult and as painful as it was for you, He sent you to represent Him in sharing things that needed to be said. Therefore, whether you realized it or not, you were, in a sense, a prophetic voice. Your wounds are the Lord’s wounds, and you carry them for His sake. As Jeremiah said, “Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke.”  
    Jesus’ cry over Jerusalem was that she stoned the prophets that were sent to her. The scars of the prophets were badges of honor to hold before the Lord. Part of your healing will be to see your scars as wounds receive for the Lord’s sake. They will not be festering, disabling, sores that sideline you. You will eventually thank the Lord that He counted you worthy to be among those to suffer for Him in such a way.
    The thing you have been through may leave scars. But that is not necessarily bad. Jesus still carries the scars in his hands, feet, and side. They bear testimony to the work the Lord produced through His obedience.
     Jeremiah said, “Why is my pain perpetual and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed?”  Obviously this is where you are now and may be for a while. But ultimately you will not see these pains and bruises from the perspective of yourself, but as trophies borne as a result of obedience and being sent on a difficult mission for Him.
      Remember, it is no compliment when the Lord allows a person to have an easy life with no challenges. It is a great compliment and signifies the honor and confidence the Lord has in you when He gives you difficult assignments that don’t seem fair for you to have to bear. God requires more of those He loves. He asks more of those from whom he expects more.
     You have always been good people, sincere and genuine people who love the Lord and want to do His will. He has let you see reality. But Solomon said that with wisdom comes grief (Eccles 1:18). The more reality and insight we have, the more we realize how badly things are “out of plumb.” Then when integrity forces us to speak up, we experience that much more grief and pain when we are attacked for pointing out the truth.
      So, in summary. I know it will take a while to work through the pain, even as it was with Jeremiah in the verses referred to above. But when you see it in the light of what I have shared, you will let it take you to Jeremiah’s place of promise where the Lord promises to strengthen you. “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible.” (Jer 15: 21).
     This is not meant to be a cliché or quick-fix, but to encourage you to stand in faith until the Lord shines the warmth of His pleasure on you and rewards you with even more insight and spiritual substance as a result of faithful obedience and perseverance. As with Job, relief will come when God shows up and reveals himself (as in Job 42) to celebrate your victory with you, and to reward you for passing your test while you were serving Him.  If we see ourselves as His servants (i.e. we are serving Him and representing Him) ultimately we will come through the fire without smelling like it. Dan. 3: 24-28.
God bless you,
Billy 

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