Obedience when its tough - Pastor Isaac

Scripture

50 Laban and Bethuel answered, "This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. 51 Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has directed."

Genesis 23:50-51

3 He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 

Luke 9:3

Observation

Faith is obedience.  

The child who is told what to do does not understand why they must follow through.  They should do what they are told.  It is later in life – after the fact of the moment – when they can understand the need for order, for follow through.  

Rebekah's family had to obey without knowing the whole story.  They positioned themselves in a way of surrender to God and his will.  And they trusted.

Jesus continues this theme of faith (radical faith) by stretching his disciples willingness to trust God.  Take nothing for the journey.  Perhaps he wanted to challenge them to get out of their comfort zone.  They all would have known how to prepare for a journey – take more money, take extra clothes and prepare for the worst.  Jesus, however, asks them to only trust in God.

Jesus knew the struggles that they would face after his ascension.  He knew that they would have to be stretched and pushed way beyond themselves in the face of persecution.  In light of this he gave them the opportunity to have their faith stretched before the major trials.

Application

I see the same happening in my own life.  I have been caused to walk through a preparatory fire.  I don't understand all of the reasons now, but I know that God is preparing me for greater battles – for greater faith journeys.

Prayer

Jesus, I pray I would be able to walk by faith.  I pray that I would be able to say “yes” to you even when it doesn't make sense.  I pray that today I would remember the example of Rebekah's family – who, in spite of personal pain, moved according to your will.