Genesis 24:55-58
King James Version (KJV)
55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.
58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
In Synch
The passage above is from the account of how Issac and Rebekah were brought together. Abraham and Sarah insisted that their son, Issac, marry someone from their kin group. They were not in their homeland, so they sent a servant back home to find Issac's bride.
The process is laid out in the Word with a whole slew of specific steps. What stands out today is this small request by Rebekah's family.
Now that the match has been made, her family wanted her to delay her departure. Seems like a reasonable request. After all, when a bride at that time left, chances were good that she would have very little contact with her birth family especially if her husband's family lived in a foreign land. This was all happening so fast. I'm sure her mother just wanted to spend a precious few more days with her daughter.
But that's not how a move of God works. When the timing is right to go, we must already be prepared and go.
This servant of Abraham understood that he was benefiting from the favor of God. He understood that everything that had been needed for a successful journey had been given. He wasn't about to let some emotions get in the way of the prosperity he was enjoying resulting from obedience.
But do we?
Oftentimes in the Gospel, Jesus is credited with saying some seemingly cruel things...let the dead bury the dead is one that comes to mind. But cruel to whom? Cruel to our emotions or cruel to God?
Jesus operated in strict obedience to the Father. There was no questioning of orders. There was no hesitation in going as directed. He understood that disobeying the Father was more important than anything, or anyone else.
Those of us who have served in the military have often lived this way. We've seen the confusion on loved ones faces when we've explained that we'll miss holidays and birthdays and family celebrations because we have 'orders' to obey. Even now, there are soldiers, sailors and airmen on foreign soils who've not met children born while they've been away...who've missed funerals and weddings because they are in the line of duty. This may not make sense to some who haven't served or who haven't spent time with those who do. It makes perfect sense to those who understand the demands of duty.
This is our charge as followers of Christ. We are called to a work; a tour of duty, if you will. Allegiance is the expected norm because that's what we've been given. We were worth the very blood of Jesus...the entirety of His being. He gave all. In return, we are expected to offer the same.
The reward of this obedience is a fail safe plan. Things that shouldn't happen will happen according to the will of God. Not to our understanding, and not as things would be expected to happen necessarily. But they will happen in a way that glorifies God.
Loved ones, maybe you've been dealing with areas of disobedience in your life. Maybe you've been resisting a calling, or just resisting giving in and yielding your will. Maybe yesterday it was no problem, but today it's the biggest challenge you face. I know I've been there sometimes.
No matter how it comes or what it looks like, we have to be honest enough with ourselves and call out disobedience for what it is. Only then can we get back 'in synch' with the Holy Spirit. When we align our will with the will of the Father, then things can flow. We we force our own will and resist Him, I know in my life it can feel like a physical blockage. It can feel that way because that's what it is. We block the flow of God through our lives with a dam of willful disobedience.
We come to Christ of our own free will. We follow Him the same way. There is no 'making us do something' in how God operates. But, as born again believers, we are different so things just won't work until we accept who He is in fullness...not just Savior, but Lord and if Lord, then Master.
Proverbs 16:25
King James Version (KJV)
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
2 Corinthians 10:1-6
King James Version (KJV)
10 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Unblock and get in synch with the Master. He'll answer the questions but He's expecting our obedience first.
Lifeline is produced from the Evangelistic Ministry of Fellowship Church in Jonesboro, GA. You are encouraged to share this message. The Fellowship Church website (www.fcchosengeneration.com) includes a link to the Lifeline Blog (www.lifelineatfellowship.blogspot.com) where you can find previous messages.
Evangelist Robinson also posts her entries on Facebook and Twitter. To subscribe to the mailing, or for questions and comments, tweet (@evangeliststeff) or send email to fellowship_lifeline@yahoo.com. Fellowship Church can be reached at chosen.gen@att.net.
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