Sometimes…- No! Most times we expect God to appear to us or lead us in the old way, in a familiar fashion – we always seek and require a formula ‘always two shakes and a twist of lime’, “one Our Father, three Hail Mary’s”’. All in our attempt to squeeze God into a box, to shrink Him whose feet are larger than the entire earth to fit into our image and expectations!
Moses knew God- talked to God face to face even! He knew God’s ways – yet he always went to God to inquire the next step- ever wonder why he didn’t just say ‘oh I know God, I’m familiar with His ways, I know He’ll do so and so this way or that way, He’ll react in this way in this situation, so that is what I’d do because I think that is what God would do!’
Abraham was called a friend of God! The only man in the entire bible given this lofty title! Abraham walked with God! He could testify to God’s goodness, God’s kindness, God’s generosity etc. He’d be the first to tell you that God is the source and giver of life. He’d even convince you that God was Life – as evidence he’s show you Sarah’s rejuvenated womb, and Isaac!! Yet he was asked of God to murder Isaac! Permit me to ask- ‘Abraham does this sound like the God you know and love?’ I wonder how confused this command (and it was a command from God not a suggestion!) made him? Many of us would have started ‘binding’ the devil telling us such lies! But guess what? Abraham obeyed!!! The instruction and method was not familiar, it was downright uncomfortable, and frightening but he obeyed!! Why? Because it came from God and Abraham trusted God! He recognized God’s voice. Do you know the voice of our Shepherd?
How does one turn away from the familiar and seek the eternal? Simple… -well not so simple because it’s all so easy to say it, but action in this vein is all so elusive! - TRUST!!
When a trusting wife notices that her husband is acting out of character towards her, when others would suspect some fowl play, she’s at peace because she trusts her husband. She knows that he’d never be unfaithful to her or do anything that would harm her! Proverbs 3:5-6 talks of ‘trusting God with all of your heart’ and not relying on what you already know (the familiar). Instead, in all things you do, you involve (acknowledge) God- the end result is that He’ll ever fail you; He’ll lead you and direct you! You won’t fall flat on your face when you go one way thinking He’s there when He’s not! Be so flexible in God’s hands that whether it is rain, sun, thunder, fanfare or silence you will not miss the voice of God. He can reach you in all of these ways – like a mighty rushing wind, a still small voice, a loud voice like trumpet, as the sound of many waters…Get familiar with God Himself – trust Him!!
In a nutshell, my keys for trusting God are:
Do not rely on what you think you already know!
God is beyond the laws governing our puny lives/nature, and He’ll break them to get to you if need be (Isaiah 43.3)
Always acknowledge (include) God in everything you do!
This is not only in major decisions! I rely on God to show me what to ware each day! He’s really interested in even the most mundane things in your life.
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