Brigette Wagner Ministries

       “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” -2 Samuel 22:30

The past three weeks have been filled with so much confusion.  Confusion about whether or not to purchase another vehicle, whether or not to commit to a two hour drive (round trip) so our girls can keep their training with the same gymnastics coach, how to re-arrange my schedule so that I can “fit everything in” and still be productive, etc., etc., etc.

Life happens!  Sometimes, though, confusion makes its way into our minds and complicates even the most simple decisions.  If we’re not careful, we find ourselves feeling very overwhelmed, tired, and weary.

Confusion is not of God!  Confusion comes straight from the pits of hell.  It’s a tool the enemy uses to keep us bound, broken, and bewildered.  It steals our peace, our joy, and our security.

There’s an old, old song that says, “when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I”.  Wouldn’t it be great if we would go to the Rock BEFORE our heart is overwhelmed?  Wouldn’t it be great if every time we lay something at the feet of Jesus, we left it there?

2 Samuel 22:29-39, 33 says:  “For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness.  For by you I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall….God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect.”

Maybe you’ve been battling confusion, weariness, and fatigue.  Let me encourage you today:  Stand on God’s Word!  HE IS YOUR SHIELD!

      “….Thus says the Lord:  Make this valley full of ditches….Now it happened in the morning when the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water.”  -2 Kings 3:16,20  (NKJV)

Over the years, I have learned that no matter the situation, God is always faithful!  He doesn’t always do things the way we think he should or in the time frame that we lay out for Him; but make no mistake HE’S ALWAYS FAITHFUL!

As I look back over our lives, I can see so many times when God “showed up and showed off”.  In every situation, there is a common thread:  WE HAD TO DO OUR PART!  Whether “our part” was simply learning to serve with a humble spirit, learning to have better responsibility with our finances, or stepping out in faith to accomplish things that we could not accomplish in our own strength, we still had to do those things which God required of us. 

Once we did, God did!

Backing up a few verses in this passage of Scripture, vs. 15-18 say this:  “But now bring me a musician.  Then it happened when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.  And he said, “Thus says the lord:  Make this valley full of ditches”.  For thus says the Lord:  “You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain yet that valley shall be filled with water so that you, your cattle and your animals may drink.  And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord…..” (emphasis added)

Now look and understand the awesomeness of this passage.  First, the musician came to play.  In other words, PRAISE was offered up to the Lord.  Then, the Lord came.  Second,  the ditches had to be dug.  The verse actually says, “MAKE“.  The Lord didn’t say to the people, “sit on the sidelines and watch me do all the work!  He said for them to “put their hand to the plow” and “dig ditches”. 

Why would God want them to dig the ditches?  He could have simply sent the water and caused everything to be perfect.  The Word says that “faith without works is dead”.   God always sets requirement in place. 

Likewise, He says to you and me: 

 YOU DO YOUR PART, THEN I’LL DO MINE!  (my paraphrasing). 

Once the ditches had been dug, God reminded the people that this was a SIMPLE MATTER for Him.  He wasn’t surprised by their need nor was He sitting in Heaven wrenching His hands wondering what He was going to do.  For Him, it was a simple thing!

Finally, when the people had stepped out in faith, done their part, and offered up to God a sacrificial offering, He was  faithful and kept His Word!

Friends, let me encourage you today:  Don’t be afraid to “dig the ditches”.  If God has told you to do something but you haven’t done it, repent now.  Then, step out in faith, dig your ditches, and watch in awe as God fills them with water!

    “Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.”   – Song of Solomon 2:15 (NKJV)

The past two weeks have been – at times – overwhelmed with “challenges”.  Last Monday, in particular, was a day filled with small but numerous obstacles. 

I began my day by beginning a book entitled “God’s ArmorBearer” by Terry Nancy.  It’s a great book which has given me so much clarity into the ministry God has called us to and has brought about much understanding for some of the things we’ve gone through in the past.

The first day I began reading this book, however, was not a great day of revelation but instead one of “those days” where I “misplaced everything, dropped everything, broke everything, forgot everything, and failed at everything”.  By the end of the day, I had had all I could take and decided to have myself a “good ol’ carnal moment”.

Over the years, I have learned that those “carnal moments” feel all so wonderful while you’re in the midst of releasing all of your frustrations, BUT AFTERWARDS….you’re left feeling defeated and ashamed.  As it was, I threw my hands in the air and said, “OK, Satan, you win!  I give up!”

I could almost hear him laugh immediately following my confession.  So clearly, then, I heard the voice of God whisper into my spirit, “It’s the little foxes that spoil the vine“.   My response:  “Then make me a gorilla so I can trample and destroy the little foxes, Lord!”  I am thankful to report to you today that God did not grant my prayer – I do not sit before you as a gorilla but as a woman of God who is continuously learning to respond to my “life situations” with God’s Word. 

I must say, I am SO THANKFUL that God doesn’t jump to my every request?  It sure would take a long time to blow dry my hair if God had changed me into a gorilla last Monday !

Song of Solomon 2:15 is a  passage of Scripture which is  actually referring to a relationship between a husband and wife, but I believe it can easily be applied to our everyday lives.  We go through life one moment at a time.  Sometimes, those moments are attacked by an enemy who knows just what “buttons” to push in order to see our reaction.  He waits and watches like an animal awaiting the perfect opportunity to spring on it’s prey.

God wants us to rise above the “carnal reaction” and learn to immediately walk out His Word!  For every situation, there is scripture for us to cling to, stand upon, and speak forth; but unless we “pick up and put on” the armor God has given us and use it when we’re in battle, it will do us no good.

Think about our soldiers…..They have weapons and protective gear.  If they look at that gear and decide not to pick it up, put it on, and use it when going into battle, they are left helpless and leave themselves very vulnerable to injury or death.  With their gear, however, their opportunity for victory greatly increases.  That’s why Paul said in Ephesians 6:11 to “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil”.

Maybe you’ve had some days lately where the “little foxes” have chased you and nipped at your heels until their bleeding.  Maybe you’ve become frustrated and said, “I quit!  You win, Satan!”.  My friend, let me encourage you today:  Pick up your armor, dust it off, put it on, and march forward.  You will be victorious if you simply don’t give up!