This Far, but No Farther
In describing his sovereignty to Job, God reminds Job that he can say to the sea: 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt' (Job 38:11).
It is interesting that many people try turning the tables and say to God: “This far you may come, and no father; here is where what you will receive from me must halt.” Maybe they aren’t quite so brash about it but that is the underlying spirit.
We draw a line and decide that is as far as we will go. We will forgive only this many times. We will surrender our will only up to a point. We will put up with only this much. Our love will only go so far. “I have surrendered these things God, but don’t ask me to give up those.”
As I am often reading and studying these days what we call the Sermon on the Mount (I prefer “The Sermon on the Kingdom”), I find myself being challenged again and again to see where I may have quietly (so as to not attract too much attention from God or man) drawn a line here or there, saying “This far, God, but no farther.” As I think about this, something in me shakes, but that can only be because that “something” is the idea that I still know better than God.
To allow the reign of God (his kingdom) to come to our lives means the end of the “this far but no farther” way of thinking.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
