Winter 1996
The Process of Reduction
Nancy Warner

Recently, I was told that I am too strong. A few days later I was asked if I were strong enough. At first, these two comments seemed to be a contradiction, but actually they are not.

Acts 7:22 tells us that "Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and in deeds." Zech 4:6 tells us that "it is not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord."

This tells us that the strength we have is profitable, but it must be submitted to the control of the Holy Spirit.

Moses, understanding the call of God upon his life and moved by compassion, stepped out in his own strength to help a fellow Israelite. As a result, he had to flee for his life.

After spending forty years in the wilderness, Moses was again called by the Lord. His response after his dreadful experience was "they will not believe me." Acts 7:25 tells us that he "had supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them."

This same Moses, who had been "mighty in word and in deed," is now saying, "I am not eloquent, neither heretofore nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant; but I am slow of speech and of a slow tongue." In other words, "I am unable to do it."

Moses's self-confidence had been shaken. It was no longer within him to quickly move on the call that rested upon his life. Therefore, the Lord revealed himself to Moses and made His power known to him. He showed him that this time, he would not be functioning in his own strength, but that the supernatural power of God would flow through him.

In response, Moses not only brought the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage, he became that which the Lord desired him to be, a mighty prophet and friend of God.

Deut 34:10-12 tells us there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. Yet the reduction that Moses had gone through was so intense that it took a major visitation of God to restore him into the call of God that rested upon his life.

The Lord was not seeking to restore his Egyptian strength, as all of that had been taken out of him. But the Lord desired the capacity within Moses which had been created by all of that. The old had been emptied from him so God could then fill that space with His enabling power.

John said in John 3:30, "He must increase but I must decrease." John did not seek to maintain any position or recognition that he had gained. Rather, he found his satisfaction in the will of the Father being accomplished by his hearing the voice of the Bridegroom. John was willing to get out of the way that Jesus might become all the Father intended.

There is a "reduction" that each one of us must go through. Though we may feel that we are rightly loving, or serving the Lord, pressure will reveal our true heart intent. If there are within us any wrong motives, or if we seek to maintain a place of security or protect our self image, the Lord will be faithful to deal with these, as He did with Moses.

Paul said "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" Gal 2:20a. The more we are able to die to self, the more the life of Christ will come forth in us.

"For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth and
scourgeth every son whom He receiveth" Heb 12:6.

Many of us welcome correction when we are wrong, thus, chastening is acceptable. But scourging, which is to be punished when we do not deserve it, is more difficult to accept. If we are to be received into sonship, this deeper working of the cross is necessary in our lives that our motives will be pure, and our self life will have been put to its deepest death.

We are under "tutors and governors" (Gal 4:2) until the time appointed of the Father. These tutors and governors have "rods" that they use to teach and deal with us. These hurt at times. Yet if we can avoid becoming bitter or angry and choose the way of the cross, so that the spirit of His Son, which has been placed in our hearts, can cry out in utter trust to the Lord, we will be received as a son. Sonship speaks of our being birthed into a place of responsibility in the purposes of the Lord.

Jesus was baptized in the Jordan. "There came a voice from heaven saying Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Then, "Immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness and He was there in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan and was with the wild beasts" (Mark 1:11-13). We can expect no less.

Hebrews 5:8-9 tells us that "Though He were a son yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered and being made perfect He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him."

Are you willing to receive scourging? Is your trust sufficient enough in the Lord that you can lay down your life and simply rejoice at His voice? Do you believe that He really loves you, and that He has a plan for your life?

Let us understand the processings of God, that His intention is to drain our strength, that He might fill that capacity with His power. Knowing that He desires to do this, may we always be found willing and available.