Pastor Don Gillum, who is present with the Lord now, used to tell a story from his days at Moody Bible Institute that went something like this. One of the professors had asked one of the students how he was doing and the student had responded by saying that he was doing “pretty good under the circumstances”. The professor replied back to the student by asking him what he was doing under the circumstances and proceeded to speak to him about how God would have him to live above the circumstances as a child of His. Many of us have found ourselves replying to similar questions in a similar manner.
Besides finding ourselves living as if we were “under the circumstances” we are often making decisions about our lives (church, family, jobs, houses, activities, goals, etc.) according to or directed by circumstances. We are quick to do this despite having knowledge that we are called to live by faith. Living by faith does not speak of a reckless life without thought, planning or a recognition and understanding of the circumstances. It is a life lived trusting the One who is always faithful, the One who has provided us with the Holy Spirit, His word and His gifts to people for guidance and direction in this life. It is a life lived believing God in the midst of circumstances.
As recipients of a new life in Christ, we must be careful and determined not to allow circumstances to be our guide. Let’s consider just a few of the many examples we have in scripture. The circumstances did not look good for the early Church after some of them were arrested and threatened to stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus. They continued to proclaim His name. Circumstances looked desperate for the Church when the Apostle James was beheaded. The gospel of Christ continued to be their song. Circumstances in Athens did not appear to be favorable as the Apostle Paul beheld a city full of idols. He told them of the unknown God. Circumstances appeared to be grim for Paul when the prophet Agabus took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and prophesied that the man who owned the belt would be bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. Paul responded to the concerns expressed by others, saying that he was “ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And to Jerusalem he would go.
We have a great illustration regarding circumstances in the 27th chapter of the book of Acts. In this chapter we find Paul a prisoner on his way to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. We see him in the custody of Julius, a Roman centurion, and in the sea port of Fair Havens. We read that it is getting late in the season and more dangerous for sailing when Paul admonishes them that continuing on will result in the loss of cargo, the ship and people’s lives. But the pilot and captain of the ship persuade the Roman centurion that Fair Havens was not a port suitable for wintering in. They were the experts. They were the men of the sea. Undoubtedly they possessed worldly wisdom regarding the matters and circumstances that were being considered. After all, Paul’s faith in Jesus and his skills as a tentmaker were not the sort of qualifications that the others were looking for in making this decision. Human wisdom said to sail on while a godly man said to stay put. The majority decided to put out to sea and attempt to reach Phoenix, a harbor that was said to be more suitable for wintering in. And then something happened that we must pay close attention to. The scripture tells us in verse 13 that “a moderate south wind came up” and “supposing that they had gained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing”. Yes, the circumstances of a moderate south wind blowing caused them to believe that they had made the right decision. It wasn’t long afterward that the ship was caught in a violent storm.
Lord, help us to remember and believe that your ways are higher than the ways of men. That you have chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. That you have chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong. That you have chosen the base things of the world and the despised, the things that are not that you might nullify the things that are. That you have made foolish the wisdom of the world.
Lord, help us to be cautious of the moderate blowing winds of circumstances that can lead us astray or have the appearance of confirming decisions we have made that are not consistent with your will. We do not want circumstances to govern our lives but we want to be moved by your Spirit and guided by the truth of your Word.
Lord, thank you for godly men and women you have gifted to provide wise counsel amidst the circumstances of life. Help us to listen to the wisdom they have come to find in you. They are both in your presence now, but thank you for Don and Millie Gillum and how you used them in the lives of many people. They were fighters of the good fight and in your strength they finished the course. We boldly ask you to raise up others like them.Lord, help us to be people of faith, living above the circumstances.
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