Fall 1995
Putting The Lord First
Wade E Taylor

There is a stirring concerning spiritual things that presently is being felt by many. This has to do with the Lord's desire to make Himself known to us. It is one thing to know about Him, and another to experience His person and presence and come into an understanding of His ways.

We are approaching the Kingdom age. The present movings of the Holy Spirit are a part of our preparation for this new day. Jesus said that we cannot enter the Kingdom, except we first become as little children.

"Suffer the little children to come unto
Me, and forbid them not: for of such is
the Kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you,
whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom
of God as a little child, he shall not
enter therein" Mark 10:14b-15.

It is very important for us to understand that the Lord may move in ways that differ from our past experiences. This means that our approach to the visitation of the Holy Spirit must be with a child-like trust and faith.

The Lord will respond to our heart desire to know Him. As we give expression in our worship to our love for Him, He will become singularly interested in us.

"I love them that love me; and those that
seek me early shall find me ... that I
may cause those that love me to inherit
substance; and I will fill their
treasures" Proverbs 8:17,21.

His response to our seeking may be in a form that is not familiar to us, or in a way that may appear offensive to our intellect. The Lord may do this to see if we are really sincere, and if we are willing to accept Him on His terms. Herein is the test of our child-like faith and trust.

Some time ago, I was struggling to find something I had misplaced. Finally I prayed, asking the Lord to help me, and quickly it was found. If I considered this, I would have to say, "When all else fails, pray." Rather, I should have prayed first. The Lord helped me, but I had missed a choice opportunity to establish and demonstrate my dependence upon Him.

The Lord is saying that He responds in a special way to those who seek Him "early." This means that in unquestioning, unqualified anticipation, we respond to His quickening presence without first trying to figure it out.

The Word tells us,

"But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you" Matt 6:33.

When we put the Lord first and acknowledge our utter dependence upon Him in all things, He will make Himself known to us, and He will work in our behalf. As a result, we will receive spiritual "substance" and our treasures will become full.

"And He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto
Him whom he would: and they came unto him. And
He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him,
and that he might send them forth to preach, and
to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out
devils" Mark 3:13-15.

Our primary calling is to come to the Lord, spending quality time in fellowship with Him. As we are faithful in our part, our coming to Him; He will be faithful in His part, our being sent forth in "ministry." This "ministry" may take many forms, from the expression of our personal witness to another, to our being called into some form of ministry.

The important thing is that we have spent time with Him that we might receive the "substance" that is to be given in the outworking of our ministry. Our time of preparation is very important, as we can only give that which we have received.

Thus, as we spend time in His presence, the Lord will impart into our lives the seed (potential) for all that pertains to our calling. It is one thing to be called (He ordained twelve that they should be with Him), but another to be sent (that He might send them forth to preach ...).

In Matthew chapter thirteen, a sower went forth to sow. Some of this seed fell by the way side and was eaten by the birds. It is very important that the seed (the Word of God) fall into carefully prepared soil. The distance from the hardened soil of the wayside to this prepared soil is only one step.

This step that we take into the place of preparation is very important, but while this inner work of the Holy Spirit is taking place, there may be no evidence of a harvest. This should not concern us as during this time of change, the important thing is the changes that are taking place within us, rather than what we are accomplishing.

There have been times when I have struggled to meet the Lord, trying all kinds of ways, but getting nowhere. Then I became quiet and found that all the Lord required of me was for me to take one step to the side. When I did this, He was there. He had been there, waiting for me to wear myself out, so I would yield and come His way. I had been trying to force the Lord to move as I thought He should. All I had to do was yield and come His way.

"And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this
great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the
LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto
him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses,
Moses. And he said, Here am I" Exodus 3:3-4.

The demands of our soulish desires are very real and ever present. To seek Him early requires of us a time of heart preparation. This involves a crucifixion of these self-centered desires with a determination to seek the Lord, to spend time alone with Him.

We must become serious concerning spiritual things.

As we do this, the Lord will draw us to Himself and impart into our being an adequate supply of the "substance" that will meet the need, that He might send us forth to preach the word, heal the sick, and cast out devils.