Behind Breakthrough

Read: Isaiah 58

Then your light will break forth like the dawn. Isaiah 58:8, NIV

IN WORD

There’s a connection between our willingness to fulfill the desires of God’s heart and His willingness to fulfill ours. We may not know how to explain that theologically; it sounds a lot like earning His favor or being rewarded for good behavior. But it’s a solidly biblical principle. When mercy and resources stop flowing out from our lives, God’s blessings tend to stop flowing in. When we return to the generosity that reflects His nature, He returns to the generosity He demonstrated to us to begin with. He lets our willingness to bless others affect His willingness to bless us.

The truth is that God always wants to break forth like the dawn in our lives. He wants to overflow with His goodness. That’s His default attitude toward His people. He doesn’t reward us for occasional obedience; He withholds for occasional disobedience. His normal posture is to extend an open hand.

That means that when we experience lack in our lives, it should affect our perception of ourselves rather than affecting our perceptions of Him. He isn’t the problem. He may be waiting for us to take on more of His nature, to meet the needs of people in a way that reflects Kingdom values. While we’re focused on our believing and receiving, He may be focused on our unwillingness to give. After all, He gave us a promise through Jesus: We will receive according to the measure we use (Luke 6:38). A heart open enough for blessings to flow out is a heart open enough for blessings to flow in.

IN DEED

If you need a breakthrough in your life, this is one place to look. The promise applies not just to ministries of help for the hurting but for every expression of God’s compassion and mercy. He wants His Kingdom to be reflected in this world among His people. When we withhold Kingdom benefits from those who need them, He shows us what it’s like by withholding some from us. But when we learn to invest in His desires, He’s much more inclined to invest in ours.

ADDITIONAL READING: Luke 6:37-38

Many a man becomes empty-handed because he does not know the fine art of distribution.

CHARLES SPURGEON