“You were saved when you believed in Jesus, but you were transformed when you realized He believed in you.” - Kris Vallotton
So, you're a little girl about 14 years old and an angel appears in front of you. "Even though you are a virgin, never touched by a man, you will conceive and give birth to the Son of God." Yeah, okay, sounds good to me. Really? We think what God asks us to do is difficult? Can you imagine what was going on in Mary's head as she stood there looking at this angel with his far out word of prophecy. Do you think it may have crossed her mind, what everyone else is going to think about this? Who will believe it?
There are several stories in the Bible that must have brought up these same emotions. Really God? Is that you? Moses standing at the sea, the army coming at him, wanting him dead and all these people looking to him to save them. Did it go through his mind to drop the old walking stick and run? Trusting that God is going to show up is not always easy.
We tend to think that our situations are unique, but you read in the bible long enough and you will find that story that resonates with your spirit. That story that could be about you. How many of our stories could have been written somewhere in between Abraham and Moses? These people had to have the same doubts and questions we have. We can't help but wonder what they went through in their hearts and minds, before they courageously said, "Yes, Lord. I will trust You!" and then He came through for them.
What about the ones who failed? What about the ones, who lied, ran, took what they wanted? I have found a common theme in most of those stories. Let's start with David and Bathsheba. David wanted what was not his. He was a king with everything, but greed drove him to take another man's wife. Well, another man's life. His buddy Saul had the same affliction. He was afraid, in all his greed, that David was going to take his kingdom and he wasn't about to stand back and give it up. Greed and jealousy walk hand in hand. When we want it all, we are not happy with those who have what we don't. Jealousy. A result of greed and jealousy is control. Jezebel is the ultimate example of a control freak wanting it all. The first thing she does is align herself with those she can use to get it all, those who will not fight her. Control is easiest over the weak. Who does she hate most? Those who speak truth. Truth is her enemy.
If we break this down a little bit, we see that jealousy and greed produced Satan. He was a beautiful worshipping angel who decided he wanted to be the one worshipped. Greed and jealousy were and continue to be behind every sin. Me, me, me causes sin. Sin could stand for Satan Is Narcissistic. The cure for sin is submission to God. If we are totally submitted to God, Jezebel/Satan will run from us. Our authority is in our submission.
Satan wants us to be rebellious toward God. When we are rebels, we are serving Satan. But our submission is our protection. We have to give up total control. Any time we try to control another person or situation we are not in God's will. He has given all of us free will and to control someone is taking that gift that was given to them by God.
I know the things God asks us to do are very difficult at times. We feel like that pregnant teen standing in the middle of the square, engaged to a man who we have never touched and judged by all who are standing there with stones in their hands. But, what did God do? He showed up. He sent an angel to Joseph. He always supplies us with the support we need either through other people, things, His word and/or Himself. He will always lift us up when we obey. Joseph married Mary, knowing she spoke truth. Why? Because God told him through an angel. God will always confirm truth. Through their obedience they were kept safe.
Sometimes I wish God would send an angel to tell me what is about to go down and how to handle it. Maybe an email in black and white. I have not been blessed in that way, but He has sent people to tell me I am on the right track, keep speaking truth, and don't take my eyes off Him. He has sent books, scripture, and friends to confirm what I have heard. You protect your integrity and I will protect your reputation. He has told me this several times. It's true. He is. The Lord is Truth and the Devil is a lie. We have to choose who we will follow. The sad part is there are so many who will not speak the truth (peace keepers) and what they don't realize is saying nothing is siding with the enemy. They are making a choice who to follow, by not making a choice. This is an Ahab spirit aligned with Jezebel and just as evil.
Truth is the only way. Obedience to that truth is love.
“We need to understand that our circumstances never cause heart issues, they only reveal them.”
Kris Vallotton
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