God's Wisdom In A Nutshell

Hello Again!

I meet so many people who believe in God but have the idea that  He doesn’t interact or have any influence on the world today. In their mind, He is theoretical- not at all practical.

God is a very present help for us and He watches us closely. He is looking for those who trust all of the promises He has given to us in the Bible. Trusting shows not only your belief in God, but your belief that God is a good God and wants to bless His followers.   Below is a story you may be familiar with.  As usual, this is an extreme example- something that would be excruciatingly hard to obey. I would guess that the Lord gives these extreme examples so that we have hope- if God came through for Abraham, He will come through for us. Take a look:

“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him ‘Abraham…take now your son, your only son whom you love, Isaac and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains’…

Abraham said to his young men, stay here with the donkey and I and the lad will go …and we will worship and return to you…

Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son…but the angel of the Lord called to him …’Abraham, Abraham’ and he said ‘here I am!’ Then He said ‘do not stretch out your hand against the lad and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me…because you have not withheld your son from me I will greatly bless you..”(Gen 22: 1,2,5,10,11,12,16,17)

Now if that isn’t a tough situation I don’t know what is! First and foremost, one would question why God would put Abraham in such a  situation. A person could be very mad at God after a request like that. BUT, Abraham was very close to the Lord, and he listened to him intently. He knew God promised him to be a father of many nations -how could Abraham accomplish this if his only heir died?

Memorize God’s promises and obey His teachings as Abraham did.  Then no matter what God asks you to do, and no matter how many years it takes, stay in faith so that you too will reap the promise that you pertains to  your life.

“God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being that He should change his mind. Does He speak then not act? Does He promise then not fulfill? (Nub 23:19 NIV)

God is looking for our full obedience and with this He will sometimes test us by asking us to do unusual things. He may tell you to give up your lucrative job for a lesser position and more modest pay in order to free up time to accomplish a task for Him. Having less money will also keep you at home with your family. Being a presence in your home, looking after kids of any age will help you avoid future problems.  God’s wisdom always guides us away from future problems.

The Lord may ask you to give up something that you are absolutely passionate about…it could be a possession, position, attitude, friend, relationship or an extreme focus in your life. You may balk at this request, saying to yourself “If God wants me to enjoy life, why should I give this up?”  If He asks you to do anything, He is testing you to see if you are a true follower or if you pick and choose what you will obey. He may also be keeping you from devastation down the road. We must always keep in mind that God sees the future, and the end result of our choices.  He guides us to a more peaceful and meaningful life. When we obey Him completely, He not only provides for us, He blesses us profusely. The Lord Jesus Christ should be our main focus because only then can He lead us into a life that completely satisfies us. Remember, He knows us better than we know ourselves. “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

Will you have the kind of faith that Abraham did? Can you wrap your mind around the fact that God has a better plan for your life than you do, and He is keeping your future “headaches” away?

Read the Bible daily, look at the stellar examples of faith from our Christian brothers and sisters of old, then learn to trust the Lord Almighty.  He truly wants what is best for your life.

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer 29:11 NIV)

Have a wonderful week!

Lisa