Mishaps / disruption happens to marital unions regardless of the partners' religious disposition. However, how well a marital relationship turns out is greatly enhanced by how much you allow the Lord to guide you in the way you make your choices. When it comes to marriage, and making a choice of a life partner, one needs to realise the importance of waiting upon the Lord.
25 The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. 26 So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. 27 And it is good for the young to submit to the yoke of His discipline. (Lamentations 3:25-26 New Living Translation - NLT)
............. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Those who wait for me will never be put to shame." (Isaiah 49:23 NLT)
It is advisable to allow Him to lead you to your life partner. If you let Him, not only will He lead you to a life partner, He will indubitably lead you to your life partner. After all, the Lord has a specific plan for each of us.
For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)
There are two ways: your way and God's way. Whichever path you choose to follow will lead to a result or consequence.
The LORD God knows and even acknowledged that, "It is not good that man should be alone." Hence, "I will make him a helper." Not only did He see the need to make him a helper, He specified which kind of helper he would provide for him. "A helper comparable to him."
"It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." (Genesis 2:18 New King James Version - NKJV)
18 And the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him." ....... 20 He (Adam) gave names to all the livestock, birds, and wild animals. But still there was no companion suitable for him. ........ 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the (man's) rib and brought her to Adam. (Genesis 2:18,20,22 NLT)
Please note: even though there were several creatures around, "but still there was no companion suitable for him." Another word for suitable is comparable or compatible. God is not in the business of manufacturing partners to be tossed out randomly to needy fellows. After all, "I alone knows the plans that I have for you, ........" (Jeremiah 29:11 Good News Bible - GNB) In Adam's case, Eve is God's choice.
"At last!" Adam exclaimed. "She is part of my own flesh and bone! She will be called 'woman,' because she was taken out of a man." (Genesis 2:23 NLT) Adam's remark upon realising who his mate was does not in any way imply comparability in terms of race, skin colour and other flesh-like classifications. The connotation goes beyond the flesh. It tends more in the direction of recognizing that this is the mate that was chosen / given by the Lord God who "alone knows the plans that I have for you." It's like saying, "This is not just anybody; she is more than just someone who can satisfy my fleshly needs in more ways than one; here is the mate that the Lord meant for me and she is specifically designed to enable me fulfill God's will and purpose for my life! This is more than just 'doing our own thing' and having a religious ceremony to 'legitimize' it."
If you are ever in doubt about the comprehensive nature of the Lord's knowledge, the following comments made by Jesus Christ provides an insight. "Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" Matthew 25:34 NLT). Who wouldn't love / prefer to wind up with the partner "prepared for you from the foundation of the world?"
To be open minded to the will of God means you are ready to let go of your own will and your own way. Imagine your will and God's meeting at an intersection, you will find yourself yielding the right of way of way quite often. It means letting things unfold His own way and at His own time.
"The smallest family will multiply into a large clan. The tiniest group will become a mighty nation. I, the LORD, will bring it all to pass at the right time." (Isaiah 60:22 NLT)
3 But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. 4 "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith. (Habakkuk 2:3-4 NLT)
Several people have wondered: Does letting go of my will, and letting Him have His way immune me from adversities? The answer: No, it doesn't. Why? Because for as long as you are in human flesh, you - like everybody else - will encounter one adversity or the other. However, if you encounter adversity while travelling on the path charted by the Lord, you can count on Him to find ways for you to overcome.
Several years ago, a young man was looking forward to finding a life partner. The Lord had called him into the ministry of His word, and had placed a peculiar anointing on him. And boy, was he on fire for the Lord or what?! Even when the wherewithal of a flamboyant disposition was not at his disposal, he began ministering, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit continually spoke for itself. He began preaching the word of God, and he waxed stronger and stronger over the years. Regardless of where he found himself, the Lord used his ministry to touch many lives in a meaningful, God-glorifying manner. His ministry often brings to mind the 8th verse of the 9th chapter of the book of Matthew (NKJV): "Now, when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled and glorified God, who had given such power to men." And the young man was still single. In line with the expectation of a child of God, when he reached the stage in his life when it was obvious that he was in need of a life partner, he approached the Lord in prayer and asked Him constantly. It so happened that there was a beautiful lady attending the same Christian fellowship where he was quite active. She caught the attention of the young man. After a while, he seriously entertained the idea of having her as a life partner. In fact, he believed that a marital union between them would not be inconsistent with God's ways. After all, she was active in the group and she was noticeably good-natured. She was the choral group leader and she sang so beautifully too. When she prays, you can just feel the spirit move. She demonstrates some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are stated in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Just like him, she seemed spiritually sound. Her zeal for the house of God was unquestionable. This seemed like a match made in heaven. This isn't like he was being unequally yoked as the scripture warned in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 NLT:
14 Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.......
He seemed to have forgotten what the scripture states in Isaiah 55:8 NLT):
8 "My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
Also,
"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts." (Proverbs 21:2 NKJV)
"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death" (Proverbs 14:12 NLT).
Even though the young man was determined to pursue what seemed the obviously right choice, the Spirit of the Lord kept insisting that the lady was not God's choice for him. Rather than yield the right of way, he remained adamant about his decision.
"You may think that everything you do is right, but remember that the LORD judges your motives." (Proverbs 21:2 GNB)
He even resorted to fasting and praying. Were you thinking that he was fasting and praying to seek guidance from the Lord in order to be able to make the choice that is right in the eyes of the Lord? Of course, not! Actually, he was besieging heaven to see if he can twist the arm of God into legitimizing his choice. I know that the scripture states in Matthew 7:7 NLT that we should "keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened." But really, "don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do" (NLT) is more like it.
"Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17 NKJV) concerning that particular situation.
When it comes to making choices, how well can we rely on our puny human ability? Try going your way and sooner or later you'll find out what it means to attempt to fit a round peg in a square hole. Pleasant experience? I doubt it. If you are in the Lord, and you place your trust firmly in Him, He is more than able to bring you across the person He has designed for your life. We can then start talking about having the round (or the square) peg in a round (or the square) hole.
"But what is wrong with her?" wondered the young man. The issue is not that something is wrong with the lady. After all, she seemed spiritually sound. The point is: she is just not the one meant for him. No one mentioned that there was something wrong with the tree; he just happened to be barking up the wrong one. No one said there was something wrong with the food; it's just not the dish intended for him. No one said it was wrong of Jonah to have fun travelling on a ship; he just happened to be on a ship that was heading in a direction other than the one assigned to him by God (Jonah chapter 1). No one said there was something wrong with the path; he just happened to find himself on a path other than the one charted for him by the Lord. If he does not follow a path charted by the Lord, how does he expect Him to pronounce that "every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you.......... for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."? (Joshua 1:3,8 NKJV).
Despite the admonitions of the Lord, the man could not come to terms with the will of God. You know how heady youths can be especially when they set their heart on something. Youthful emotions can run really wild. Don't take for granted the tenacity of youthful exuberance. I'll say it takes the grace of God to set them straight. And sometimes we love to deceive ourselves by opting to engage in what seems like a spiritual warfare. We resort to praying, fasting, binding & casting out demons, etc as if that will change the fact that we are not willing to listen, let go, and let God have His way. No one is denying the reality of spiritual warfare. There are occasions when as children of God, we need to use the weapons in our spiritual arsenal (Ephesians 6:10-18): prayer (James 5:16), prayer & fasting (Matthew 17:14-21), binding and loosing (Matthew 16:19), prayer and singing songs of praise & worship (Acts 16:25-26), etc. They all have their rightful place in our Christian lives and devotions. And no one is denying that. But are they intended as means of justifying decisions made outside the jurisdiction of God's will and purpose?
22 But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you from being king." (1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT)
14 "Now if you will fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD's commands, and if you and your king follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. (1 Samuel 12:14-15 NLT)
19 Why haven't you obeyed the LORD? Why did you rush for the plunder and do exactly what the LORD said not to do?" (1 Samuel 15:19 NLT)
While the young man thought he was fighting demons, he was in actual fact contending against God. He seemed to have forgotten Gamaliel's advice:
38 "So my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. 39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5:38-39 NLT)
Even believers can be odd in their ways sometimes. Sometimes we get too religious / spiritual for our own good. Take for instance ".........the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing God a service. (John 16:2 NLT) Sounds like "having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:5 NKJV) Has it ever occurred to you that when Paul wrote "therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is"(5:17), he was addressing believers, not gentiles?
As pointed out earlier, his mind was made up regarding the lady. And even the Lord can see that. One day, while walking down the hallway of the post-secondary institution he was attending, he heard a voice from behind him, "Are you sure you want to marry that lady?" He looked behind him and what he saw was a completely empty hallway! No one except him - was there. Yet, he was sure he heard a voice. Not the inner voice of the Holy Spirit. Of course, he was familiar with that, and he could tell the difference. This voice was external. It's as familiar and external as the voices he's heard from others around him. But no one was around. Angelic encounter? Well, I suppose, your guess is as good as mine. His spiritual radar was picking up signals. He could sense that there was a conflict between him and God. Rather than ask the Lord for the grace, the strength, the power, the guidance, the anointing, etc to go in His charted path and do His will (regardless of how tough it may seem), the next couple of days saw him continually fasting, hoping against hope that he might be able to change God's mind rather than "understand what the will of the Lord is". Remember how the Lord Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane?
41 He walked away, about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." (Luke 22:41-42 NLT)
Of course, the Father wasn't about to take the cup away from him. If He did, it would defeat the whole purpose of Christ's birth, life and ministry on earth. Which is to bring salvation to humanity through his death, resurrection, and ascension. Seeing that the cup cannot be taken away, how did the Father address the situation?
43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. (Luke 22:43-44 NLT)
When one of his disciples attempted to stand in the way of letting His will be done, how did Jesus reacted?
But Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:11 NLT)
Remember the well-known prayer of Francis of Assisi? The one that is similar to apostle Paul's "therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." It sounds something like this: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage for the things I can and wisdom to know the difference. Someone ought to be reminded of that. This isn't one of those instances where God's mind can be changed through intense fasting & praying and repentance. One such instance can be found in Jonah 3:7-10 NLT:
7 Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: "No one, not even the animals, may eat or drink anything at all. 8 Everyone is required to wear sackcloth and pray earnestly to God. Everyone must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. 9 Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will have pity on us and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us." 10 When God saw that they had put a stop to their evil ways, he had mercy on them and didn't carry out the destruction he had threatened.
The incidence recorded in the book of Jonah is an example of outcomes that are conditional. Conditional? Yes, in the sense that God was willing to change the outcome of the situation if the people fast, pray and "put a stop to their evil ways". The situation with the young man isn't one of such instances.
After days of fasting, the young man ended it by observing an intense moment of prayer. As he was praying, the Lord's voice came through - through His Spirit. The Lord pointed out to him that in the beginning when He formed human beings, He created them with free will. This is what makes the difference between human beings and robots / puppets. Robots (like the ones used in manufacturing plants or industrial settings) are programmed through artificial intelligence to perform certain operations or carry out specific functions. These operations - as elaborate or complex as they may seem - are limited in scope. Take for instance a robotic arm in a car manufacturing plant. An arm can be designed to pick up small portions of a unit that are then put them together to form a part. When this operation is performed, another robotic arm picks up the part and move to a different section of the assembly line where another arm carry out its designated function. The process continues as other arms carries out the task they are programmed to accomplish. Each arm carries out a quite predictable task. It's incapable of doing otherwise. Of course, mishaps do happen. Such mishaps can be due to disruption in flow of electricity, damaged circuits, etc. Otherwise, each arm carries out a repetitive task. The likelihood of doing otherwise is remote. The movement of the arm is based on a computer program designed by a programmer. The program is limited to the specific function the programmer wants the arm to perform. So even if the arm mysteriously prefers to perform a different operation, it is highly unlikely it can succeed in doing that. The programmer is strictly in control. What about a puppet? Take for instance a glove puppet. You put your hand inside the glove and you can manipulate its actions. The movement of the puppet is based on the movement of your hand, wrist and fingers. In the unlikely event that the puppet decides to move its part in a manner that is contrary to the movement of your hand, wrist and fingers, it is going to find a hard time doing that. Really. Mankind on the other hand possess free will. Which also explains why mankind fell in the Garden of Eden.
16 But the LORD God gave him this warning: "You may freely eat any fruit in the garden 17 except fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die." (Genesis 2:16-17 NLT)
If Adam and Eve had not touched the fruit of the tree, they will be doing it willingly. And that is where the honour and respect for God lies.
In the absence of free will, complying with the Lord's directive would be as easy as ABC. Or to put it another way: as easy as manipulating a puppet. And so the Lord gave mankind free will. This implies that any decision made to do something for God (along with the corresponding action) is quality because it is borne out of free will. The kind of quality a God of His calibre deserves. Take for instance, the difference between someone who from the depth of his/her heart professes love for you, and someone who had to profess the same because of fear of repercussion if he/she dares state otherwise. One is genuine; the other is just a charade. You see, the Lord is at the peak of excellence (be in terms of holiness, righteousness, perfection, power, might, glory, honour, majesty). Anything short of quality (praise, worship, adoration, giving, love, etc) will not amount to what He really deserves. Which explains why the scriptures states that
You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT)
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV)
The scripture did not state that God loves givers. Rather, "God loves a cheerful giver." This isn't a case of 'if you don't give, you'll be black listed, or you might just drop dead, or we're going to keep an eye on you and you'll see what will be done to you'. Remember the story of the widow's mites? (Luke 21:1-4) Of all the people that gave, and the quantity that they gave, the widow and her mites are the ones that impressed the Lord the most. It's quite ironic and intriguing? Well, it feels that way the more we come to understand His ways.
As mentioned earlier, the Lord pointed out to him that in the beginning when He formed human beings, He created them with free will. You may choose to follow the path ordained by God, and you may choose to do otherwise. Of course, failure to follow God's charted path (the narrow path that leads to life) eventually leads to consequences just like it happened in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-24).
13 "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. 14 But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT)
15 "Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between prosperity and disaster, between life and death. 16 I have commanded you today to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, laws, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and become a great nation, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. 17 But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, 18 then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. 19 "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! (Joshua 30:15-19 NLT)
The Lord acknowledged the hardness of the youth's heart concerning the path he had chosen to follow. He had repeatedly tried to let him see the folly of his decision, yet he clung tenaciously to the desire of his heart. Before resigning him to the destiny he had chosen for himself, He pointed out some things that he would need to keep in mind as time goes on. Despite his choice of life partner, the Lord pointed out that He would not rescind his call into the ministry of the word. That notwithstanding, his choice will prove consequential. He will be involved in the work of the ministry quite all right. It's just that his life and ministry will be plagued with one adversity or the other. But who doesn't experience one adversity or the other in life and in the work of the ministry, some might argue. True talk. But there are adversities, and there are adversities. He was assured of a ministry quite all right. A ministry with results that can best be categorized as having a bark that is worse than the bite. It will turn out to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of having a form of godliness but lacking the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5 NKJV). How about miracles, signs and wonders? Well, yes, but so-so. In bits and bites sort of. Financial issues? Of course, every life and ministry has one financial issue or the other from time to time. In his case, no way out is more like it. It wouldn't be just an issue; it will be one crisis after another with no end in sight. Marital problems? Of course, every relationship has its good times and bad times. In his case, peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) is out of question. The journey of the marital union will be mostly characterized by the storm of arguments and fights. The weather will be mainly inclement. The sea? Always turbulent. And with the Lord nowhere in sight in the boat to calm the storm (Mark 4:35-41), you can imagine what the journey is going to be like. With diverse kinds of rocks on the way, the boat's destiny is sealed even before it set it sails. We all go through trials and adversities in life. Job had his not-so-pleasant moments. At least he saw the end of it in the final chapter of the book of Job. "And the Lord restored Job's losses........ Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before .......... Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning ..........In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job......." (Job 47:10,12,15 NKJV). This will not be the case in the young man's life and ministry. These outcomes are quite contrary to what the Lord had planned for his life and ministry. But as the saying goes: as you make your bed, so you lie on it. Rather than letting go and letting God have his way, he sealed his own fate by the choice he stuck to.
Some might think: But wouldn't he have experienced similar misfortune in his life regardless of his religious / spiritual disposition? As said earlier, no one is immune from adversities in life. Even Jesus Christ when he walked on earth in human flesh was not excluded. He went through difficult times like an average person. He experienced rejection (John 6:60-66). He was rejected by the authorities (John 7:45-52). Even his own brothers did not believe him (John 7:1-9). He demonstrated (holy) anger (John 2:13-17). In his anger, he used harsh words (Matthew 23:1-30). He had problems with his disciples. He was frustrated at times, and even got into an argument with one of them (Matthew 16:23). One of them betrayed him (Matthew 26:47-56). Another denied him (Matthew 26:69-75). Another doubted him (John 20:24-29). The whole lot of them fled and deserted him when it really mattered (Matthew 26:47-56). He complained of thirst (John 19:28). He had need for food (John 4:31-34). At the tomb of Lazarus, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35 NKJV). Walking the path charted by the Lord does not immune you from problems. But it means God will feel compelled to rise on your behalf because He know that His word, Name and honour are at stake.
30 Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. 31 But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31 NLT)
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV)
When the Lord's word, Name and honour are at stake. He will be more than willing to rise.
Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. (Psalm 68:1-3 NKJV)
Which reminds me of Moses' saga in the attempt to comply with God's directive to "Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." (Exodus 3:10 NLT) When the Lord called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he went through difficult times just to get them as far as the Red sea. He was frustrated in more ways than one. 1 "After this presentation to Israel's leaders, Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh. They told him, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, for they must go out into the wilderness to hold a religious festival in my honor.'" 2 "Is that so?" retorted Pharaoh. "And who is the LORD that I should listen to him and let Israel go? I don't know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go." (Exodus 5:1-2 NLT)
Then the Pharaoh had the Hebrews deprived of straw - a material needed in carrying out their daily tasks. Yet the daily production quota must be met! This was a calculated attempt (1) to show God and Moses who the boss was (2) and to crush their spirit and make their lives so miserable that the thought / idea of God's wonderful plan for them will be hard to entertain (Exodus 5:4-19). At some point, Moses and Aaron almost got lynched by angry and frustrated officers of the children of Israel (Exodus 5:20-21).
12 "But LORD!" Moses objected. "My own people won't listen to me anymore. How can I expect Pharaoh to listen? I'm no orator!" (Exodus 6:12 NLT)
As if that was not enough, when the Lord performed a miracle through His servant, the Egyptian monarch brought in his own league of charlatans to copy it!
11 Then Pharaoh called in his wise men and magicians, and they did the same thing with their secret arts. 12 Their staffs became snakes, too! But then Aaron's snake swallowed up their snakes. 13 Pharaoh's heart, however, remained hard and stubborn. He still refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted. (Exodus 7:11-13 NLT)
Quite encouraging, don't you think? And all these are happening to a man on a journey on the path charted by the Lord? One could have sworn this was going to be easy. After going through the energy-sapping, faith-draining, life-and-death situations caused by the ten plagues, he managed to lead them out of Egypt. As if that was not enough, he came across the Red Sea just as the Pharaoh and his military reconsidered and went after the Israelites (Exodus 14:5-9). The sharp tongues of the Israelites didn't help either:
11 Then they turned against Moses and complained, "Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren't there enough graves for us in Egypt? Why did you make us leave? 12 Didn't we tell you to leave us alone while we were still in Egypt? Our Egyptian slavery was far better than dying out here in the wilderness!" (Exodus 14:11-12 NLT)
Such encouraging words! Just what Moses needed to hear at that point in time. And what was the chosen of the Lord's response?
13 But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the LORD rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. 14 The LORD himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!" (Exodus 14:13-14 NLT)
Need I say more? That's the response of a man who knew what led him to where he was in the first place. That's the response of an individual who knew he did not just go because that's the way they all go, rather, he went because "'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14 NKJV) That's the attitude of an individual who was sure that his actions were based on the response to the call to "Now go, and do as I have told you. I will help you ..........." (Exodus 14:12 NLT)
Then Moses and Aaron did so; just as the LORD commanded them, so they did. (Exodus 7:6 NKJV)
And did the Lord move on their behalf? YOU BET HE DID! And in a mighty way too! Details of the amazing style the Lord used to save His own is recorded in Exodus 14:15-31. When the people looked up to Moses, he in turn looked up to the Lord - a sign of a good leader.
Please note: The Lord was under no compulsion to perform the awesome miracle that took place at the Red Sea. No, He was not. He didn't have to part the Red Sea. A key factor that led to the hand of the Lord being moved in such a mighty way was that the circumstances that got Moses and the Israelites to the Sea had a lot to do with following the path charted by God in total obedience. This is explained more under WHOSE AGENDA? YOURS OR HIS? It was God's idea to "Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10 NLT). In fact, Moses initially objected to being sent. "But Moses again pleaded, "Lord, please! Send someone else" (Exodus 4:13 NLT). And to think there are people begging God day and night to use them in a mighty way, and yet they are not being chosen. Moses did not seem to realise what some people will do just to be seen as 'men and women of God'. God had to drag Moses from Midian amidst protests. God seem to be saying to Moses: "I started this, I got you into this whole mess, and I'm going to clear it all up, and see you through to the very end in victory.'
When Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego found themselves in a hot situation in Daniel chapter 3, did the Lord God Almighty not stand by them in the fiery furnace and ensure their deliverance? Even though some consider the three Hebrew boys as being corky and insubordinate, the Lord knew very well what led to them being tossed into the fiery furnace, and he came to their rescue in His own miraculous way.
But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT).
Wouldn't you want to work for that kind of deity? Wouldn't you just love to follow His charted path in obedience?
Anyway, the Lord's counsel prevailed on the young man. He realised the folly of his rigidity. He burst into tears as the Spirit of the Lord's rebuke penetrated his hard heart. His heart of stone became a heart of flesh as the counsel of the Lord prevailed. He finally let go and let God had his way. And he reaped the fruits of obedience over the course of his life.
14 You will live under a government that is just and fair. Your enemies will stay far away; you will live in peace. Terror will not come near. 15 If any nation comes to fight you, it will not be because I sent them to punish you. Your enemies will always be defeated because I am on your side. 16 I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy. 17 But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. And everyone who tells lies in court will be brought to justice. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken! (Isaiah 54:14-17 NLT)
God bless
Yours
Adekunle Majek'
H I A F E M
Of impact, quality & excellence
That's the Spirit!
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