Blessing Beyond Obedience
Jesus calls us to reimagine what is possible as He leads us through transformation of what we believe is possible.
“Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you...Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away. So he fled with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River, and headed for the hill country of Gilead...I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad..Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.”
Genesis 31:3, 20-21, 29, 51-53, 55
Jacob feared what Laban would do, but not more than he had faith in God's protection. We face a tough choice. The worries of what Laban might do were real. He was a selfish man who had taken advantage of Jacob. What was the key to Jacob's success? He listened and obeyed the voice of God.
The best part is as take a step of faith we will see God has already been working to prepare the way just like he did as He spoke to Laban. Is there anywhere you feel stuck in a tough situation? Have you inquired of the Lord what His will is for your life and in the circumstance?
“Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God...I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.”...How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you.""
Psalms 31:4-5, 14-16, 19, 23-24
David knows first hand how difficult a situation like Jacob faced was. He had many enemies who tried to harm him. The traps that are set before all of us is offense and fear. Will we choose to fight evil with evil or allow fear to dominate our decision making? David lives in truth as he knows God is spirit and truth. You can almost hear how David is recalling all the ways God has watched over him as he says how abundant are the good things you have stored for your people.
Do you believe God has abundantly good things stored for you? Jesus' own words were I have come to give you life abundantly.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31:8-11
Fear turns our focus down and in. Faith calls us to look up and out. As we trust in God for the outcomes in tough situations, He frees our hearts to see how those around us need a helping hand. We have freedom to help set others free.
“Woe to those who...who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel"
Isaiah 31:1, 5
The natural process to evaluate if you will gain victory is to do the math on whether you have more power or possessions than the opponent you face. Wisdom calls followers of Jesus to a new way of thinking. Rather than counting up your odds, God calls us to look to Jesus trusting in Kingdom arithmetic. Jesus plus you equals a majority and ultimately, victory.
“Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored ...A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”” Mark 3:1, 3-5, 32-35
Jesus wants to teach us to look beyond the limits of what we think is possible. Can a man with a shriveled hand be healed? Of course not. Except he can if Jesus says the word. Jesus calls out more than their unbelief, He calls out the hard hearts of the people. It is easy to judge the Pharisees, but do we not also live by a world that has expectations based on laws and our experiences? What can we learn from this story?
Jesus wants to teach us to soften our hearts and learn to believe again. He wants us to believe that when we hear His voice, like Jacob did, that He is worthy of our trust. He wants us to take a step of faith in spite of the fears we might face so that we can become family. How do we do this? By doing God's will. By listening and doing. By hearing and obeying our Savior and King.