Page 37 - The Road from Babylon to Zion

It is interesting that both Moses’ and Elijah’s self-pity arose because they were being
personally criticized and maligned for doing the will of Yahweh. They did not
understand why reproach should fall on them for their obedience. Why should the
people grumble against Moses because they did not have water? Shouldn’t they look
to Yahweh for water? Why did Jezebel want to kill Elijah for having the false
prophets killed? Was Elijah the one who caused fire to fall from heaven and to
consume the sacrifice?

In the same way, why should the remnant saints of God today be condemned and
maligned for walking in obedience before the Father? Why should our reputations
be besmirched and our character be a reproach? Yet it is the Father’s good will.

As I thought on this, and the Father continued to minister to me, He showed me that
it is proper for us to respond with righteous anger when people malign His name and
character or act out of unbelief towards Him. However, in anything that touches us
personally we are to demonstrate a different response: we are to turn the other
cheek. There is no room for anger to be manifested in anything that touches us
personally.

Father showed me that I cannot respond in anger towards family, friends, or church
members for the actions or words which have been spoken against me. I am not to
react in any way, but I am to follow the example of which Paul spoke.

I Corinthians 4:10-13
We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are
weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without
honor. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are
poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we
toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we
bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are
slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the
world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

It is one thing to endure these things and to entertain self-pity. It is quite something
else to be content with these things, seeing that this is our lot.
Many of God’s saints are enduring this test at this moment.

It is not by coincidence that so many circumstances seem to be conspiring against
Zion at this time. Father is testing her to see if self-pity will overcome her, or if she
will overcome it. The saints of Zion could respond in anger or wrath at the things
coming against them. They could choose to act angrily toward those who have
misjudged and mistreated them, but in doing so they would actually be striking out
at God for the unfairness of the burdens placed upon Zion. It is not a rock we would