Running with Footman and Contending with Horses

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses?

It seems to me that most everything in the Christian world is upside down and backwards. Even so, within are many Jesus-loving Christians who are doing the best they can within the crooked and corrupt Christian systems of today.

A person could take many approaches in dealing with this. Ultimately, it comes down to one thing: preparing our own hearts to fight the good fight of the kingdom of God. This means learning to walk in accordance with His ways and not our own. This means pushing back the darkness, not fueling it. Unfortunately, our Christian systems do a very poor job of equipping people for this battle, and there are numerous reasons why this is. Ultimately, God has ordained this would happen, and its no new thing. Christianity was corrupted right out of the gate, taking many forms over the generations. The corruption only seems new to those who are waking up to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For me, it was a hard realization and one that has lead to a lot of personal struggles as well as a feeling of obligation to help others who are ensnared by the lies and perversions of the gospel. I’m sure there are many others who see this too, but for whatever reason I am particularly critical and I tend to see problems in most every ministry I encounter — particularly those who use Christian corruption to fuel their own agendas.

What is the answer? Ultimately, this is an individual walk that we each need to work out. When we seek Jesus first, things will change in our hearts and in our lives. This can lead to a domino effect when we have positive impact on those around us and our communities.

We need to learn to walk incorruptible in the things of God. Sure, we will make mistakes, but if our focus is on the kingdom first and foremost with understanding that Jesus came so that we can flourish in the knowledge of the Lord, we will continue to grow in that regard.

If we are currently giving ourselves over to every sin and temptation and become vessels of darkness and destruction, how will we ever stand strong when any real trial comes?  How will we keep the name of Jesus during persecution when we reject him in various ways every day? How can we contend with horses if we can’t run with the footmen?

As for me, I need to learn to run with the footmen. Being that I have enough of my own issues to work out, that is going to be my focus for a while. I encourage anyone who reads this to do the same. Instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing wrong, ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Instead of looking to what the world deems good, ask the Lord what he declares as righteous and ask him to teach you. Don’t allow the corrupted churches and various forms of so-called “Christian” ministry to steal your faith and your peace. Trust in the Lord, not in man, and he will see you through.

Jeremiah 12

The Prosperity of the Wicked

Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

God’s Answer to Jeremiah

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.

I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.

Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.

Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.

The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.

They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit;

Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.

And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.

And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.

But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.