Nancy Taylor Tate
“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied…” Isaiah 53:11
Some time ago, I was making a decision based on what I felt the Lord wanted. I saw how the Lord would bless others through my step of faith, but I was not receiving any understanding as to what was in store for me personally, and I became somewhat puzzled. During a prior time of transition, I had received a specific word, then watched it unfold. This time, little was apparent regarding the impact on my own life. I wondered, was I missing something?
Then I understood! The Lord was simply doing something different this time. He was testing the motive of my heart. Was I obeying because something good was in store for me, like a puppy being led forward with a treat? Or was I obeying out of a pure desire to please the Lord, come what may?
This understanding brought tremendous peace, and though I had no “promise” concerning my own future, from the assurance that I had gained through years of walking with the Lord, and knowing His faithfulness, I was able to rest in the fact that all would unfold at the right time, in the right way. And it did!
Paul said in Philippians 1:20, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”
I have often thought of the three Hebrew children. As they faced being thrown into a fiery furnace, they had no prophecy as to how all of that was going to turn out. It did not matter! There was a commitment in their life, and a faithfulness that governed their choices, come what may.
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18
Years ago, an elderly lady with a profound walk with the Lord brought me into contact with some writings that spoke of a passionate love for Jesus, birthed from a deeper revelation of the cross. This awakened within me a longing to believe for what I was hearing about – the birthing of a passion, like a burning fire in the heart, creating inside the heart of the believer an intense desire that the Man of Calvary (Jesus) should be satisfied.
“...He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isaiah 53:11
I knew it was from her own experience that she spoke, as I heard that this passion would become so strong, that it would become the dominating power of a life, swallowing up all personal thought of sacrifice or gain. How I longed and prayed for this unveiling of the cross, that a deeper passion for the Lord might consume my own life.
John Wright Follette, the author of “Broken Bread,” spoke of our love for Jesus becoming sufficient enough to allow the cancellation of our own lives. As I heard him speak, a desire for my love for the Lord to grow to this dimension continued to swell up within my own heart.
I began to understand the divine process, which enables us to become that which the Lord desires. After the Holy Spirit comes upon us, as our life becomes submerged into His, we are enabled to be, or become a witness unto the Lord.
“But you be shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me” Acts 1:8
This word “be” is a verb of being, not doing. The word “witness” also means “martyr.” Brother Follette spoke of our love for truth (Jesus) becoming sufficient enough to allow the cancellation of our own life, for His life. He spoke of our life, personality, coming under the dominion, power, authority, of the Holy Ghost, that we might “be” or “become” a witness (martyr) to Him. This is what we are to become, not do.
As I listened over and over to him speak of this divine process taking place, I prayed for this to take place in my own life. I would say:
“Lord, cause my love for Jesus to become sufficient enough to allow the cancellation of my life, that I might become a living witness unto You. May my life become submerged into Yours. May Your Holy Spirit rule over me. Cause me Lord, by Your grace, to become the witness that You so desire (Ezekiel 36:27). I submit to Your working in my life. And please, do not pay any attention if I complain! This is what I want, and this is what I am praying for, with all my heart.’’
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Key elements to our being found faithful in the Lord’s eyes are these two very things: A deeper revelation of the cross – the birthing of a burning desire within, to see the travail of His soul satisfied. And a love for Jesus that becomes strong enough to allow the cancellation of our own lives, that His life might be lived through our lives. From this will come enduring commitment, and true faithfulness, the place into which the Lord will bring those who are willing, today.
“…for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14
This requires a deep inner working of the Lord, and perseverance on our part. Only God knows the heart. And the Lord will test us as to what truly motivates us. Is it self-motivation, or rather, a desire to please Him? The Lord is looking for those who will unconditionally surrender their lives to Him, come what may, whose singular passion is to please Him, to be found faithful in His sight, that His purpose might be fulfilled in and through their lives.
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” I Corinthians 4.2
Our first call is to be with the Lord. As I spend quality time with the Lord, and allow His working in my life, there will come a witness, or a change in my life. As my love increases for the Lord, and the desire to see His soul satisfied grows, faithfulness will be birthed, not out of obligation, but from a burning passion for the Lord.
Divine substitution takes place. My love for the Lord begins to overcome all other desires and becomes the dominating factor in my life. The by product is faithfulness, borne from love.
“…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
My prayer for you is that the Lord will unveil Calvary to you in a deeper way, creating a singular, burning passion to please Him; that out of love, a deeper surrender to the Lord might be made.
This is the passion that will bring us through the days ahead, a commitment, from a singleness of heart, a sole desire to be found faithful, pleasing the Lord.
Even as Jesus was found faithful (Revelation 1:5), may passionate love birth commitment and faithfulness within each of us, that He might see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied.