Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
(Luke 23:34 KJV)
Jesus was in the rest of God as a result of prayer and fellowship with the Father. That is how He prayed for His captors, “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing.” To that end, He purchased our salvation with His blood. There is a place of rest for every child of God. And you must do what Jesus did – spend time in prayer and fellowship with the Father – that you may fulfill your purpose as well.
Now, at times God called me to do things that I knew would be hard on me. People weren’t going to understand. Persecution would surely come. I didn’t want to go through that, any more than you want to go through that. I wanted everyone smiling at me, thinking I’m the greatest thing since sliced bread. I want that just like you want that.
But that doesn’t come when you follow God. You must decide whose smiles you want, theirs or God’s.
It is times like those that I had to go in prayer before God and fellowship with Him first, saying, “Father, I worship and I praise you. I adore you. I magnify you. I glorify your name, Father. I thank you. I know you asked me to do this because it’s best. I know you’re asking me to do this because it’s in the best interest of the people. I know you want this done, and my body is going to come along, and my mind is going to come along. I worship you Father, and give you glory.”
I did that until the rest came.
There have been other times that I had to pray and fellowship with God when my body was hurting, and say, “I believe I’m healed, I’m healed, I’m healed, I’m healed.” I’d say it 100 times, 200 times, 300 times, 400 times, 500 times, 600 times; until I was in quietness and assurance.
You have to stay with it, sometimes all day long, until the anxiety goes, and all of a sudden, you’re in the zone.
It is then that you are ready to take on whatever you must. You know God’s will, and you have the faith to go along with it, so you know in advance that the outcome is victory. Then you can sit back and let God do it.
Scripture References: Mark 11:23-24; 1 John 1:3, 6-7
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).