Written by Mark Driskill:
Monday February 28, 2011
Read Exodus 3:17, Matthew 23:37, and John 5:1-9

What is the greatest obstacle God has to face in doing his work in your life? Surprise, it’s not the devil, as much as that old liar would like you to think that. God can yank the devil’s chain any time he wants. According to the scriptures the greatest obstacle is your will. Three Biblical stories bear this out.

1. In Exodus 13 as God is leading is people to the promised land, we see the Lord planning the route his people will take. Verse 17 tells us this way, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’” What an awesome thought that God considered the will of his people in this decision. He knew they would give up and go back to Egypt if they faced war at this point in their journey. God had to take them the long way to accomplish his will because he knew what was in their hearts. How many times has God had to take you the long way to his will because your will was blocking the way?
2. In Matthew 23:37 Jesus weeps over Jerusalem saying, “Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Oh friends the only thing that stood in the way of Jerusalem being revived and restored was their will. They were not willing. Are you?
3. John 5:6 tells us that as Jesus was talking with an invalid who had lain by the pool of healing for 38 years, he simply asked him, “Do you want to get well?” This is the crucial question of faith. You see the power to heal was available but unless the man was willing to be well it would not be released into his life.

God is sovereign and will accomplish his purpose in the earth. He will either do it through us or work around us. We will either take the long way to the promise or the short way. We will either be gathered together or bypassed in his plan to save. We will either rise up in faith and walk or die by the pool feeling sorry for ourselves. Revival is coming to our community, not because we finally talked God into it, but because God finally talked us into it. Get your will lined up with the purpose of God and anything is possible. The next time you pray, “Your will be done.” Remember God may just be saying the same to you. Do you want to get well?

Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky.  They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy.

Mark is web minister for Begotten by theWord , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources.

Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program. Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.

Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.