Wait

Don’t Wait

pjimgallagher2 Comments

Genesis 43:10
“For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”

2015/01/img_1361.jpgWe have no way of knowing how long Simeon remained incarcerated in Egypt, while his brothers attempted to convince Jacob to send them back. The assumption is, quite some time passed, since it would have been foolish to make the lengthy and dangerous journey to Egypt and not purchase enough food to last a long time. However long it may have been, time ran out when the food ran out. Jacob’s hand was forced, as they looked at the reality of facing another season without rain and without food. The words of Judah to his father are quite revealing, “If we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.” Had the difficult decision been made earlier, the trip would have been a memory, and the family would already be reunited. Instead, all the work remained in front of them. I wonder if this statement could be made regarding our spiritual condition? It seems there are works in each of us, God has been desiring to do, but we have been fighting against them. We see the task as too big, and don’t think we will ever be able to accomplish it. Procrastination will never make a decision, or a task easier. Waiting will only make things more difficult. If you have been neglecting to put off sin, or put on righteousness, keep in mind, had you done it when God first asked, the work would be finished, and you would be already be tasting the sweet fruit of victory. Don’t wait another minute to get busy with that to which God has called you.

Pastor Jim

 

Plotting And Scheming

pjimgallagher2 Comments

Genesis 30:32
“Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages.”

2015/01/img_1334.jpgAfter faithfully serving Laban for twenty years, Jacob decided it was time to return to Canaan. As he prepared to depart, Jacob and Laban met together to discuss his future wages. They determined that all the speckled and spotted sheep would belong to Jacob and the rest would remain with Laban. Later, in Genesis 31, we find this idea was given to Jacob in a dream where the Angel of the Lord appeared to him. We find with Jacob, a vivid illustration of the promises of God being pursued in the arm of the flesh.

Rather than trusting that God would provide whatever number of sheep He wanted him to have, Jacob went about to organize one of the most bizarre schemes in Scripture. He decided to put a backdrop of Poplar, Almond and Chestnut trees before the flocks, thinking that would make them conceive spotted lambs. I am no geneticist, but I highly doubt that what a pregnant sheep looks at while eating will determine the hair color of her offspring. This seems to me, to be another of Jacob’s carnal attempts to acquire the promises of God. He had done it before when he cheated his brother out of his blessing and birthright, instead of simply waiting on God to fulfill His promises. And now he seems to be doing it again.

Oh, what wasted time and energy is spent trying to accomplish, in the arm of the flesh, what should simply be received by faith. How often the child of God strives so intently to do, what God simply wants to give. Instead of straining in our own energies, why not simply trust in, and pray through, the promises of God. This is a truth that is particularly relevant for those serving in the ministry. One of the great promises that must serve as part of the foundation for any minister, is that Jesus said He would build His church. All our energies should be spent seeking to do what He tells us to do, rather than running about trying to build a church for God.

Pastor Jim

 

Finding A Wife

pjimgallagher1 Comment

Genesis 24:4
“You shall go… and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

2015/01/img_1321.jpgRelationships are a key part of life. Healthy relationships lead to a good life, and unhealthy relationships will make life very difficult. The most important earthly relationship is marriage, and who you marry is one of the most important decision in life (second only to receiving Christ.) Solomon wrote “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22). Genesis 24 tells the story of how Isaac and Rebekah met. Their story is a bit different than most of ours because the marriage was arranged, but there are some vital principles to keep in mind for any relationship.

Genesis 24:40
“But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father’s house.'”

First, it is important to remember God has a plan for you. Paul wrote, God has foreordained good works for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10); that includes who we will marry. Long before Abraham’s servant arrived at the well, the angel of the Lord was there preparing the way. To think God has forgotten you is bad theology, and often leads to bad decisions. When we forget God has a plan for us, we get impatient and begin to settle for less. Imagine if Adam had not waited on the Lord, he would have ended up with an ape.

Second, we are told where they met. Abraham was adamant that Isaac’s bride not be selected from the ungodly Canaanites. If Isaac was going to have a good marriage, he must choose a godly wife. As his servant went on the search, he selected a location where the young women gathered to draw water. I have been told, the three most important rules of real estate are location, location, location. The same is true of relationships. If Isaac was going to find a godly wife, he needed to look in the right places. Too often, people become lonely, impatient and discouraged. When they have not found the right someone, they lower their standards, and start looking in the wrong places. Remember, there are certain places that are off limits. Looking for a relationship with an unbeliever – off limits. Looking for a relationship with someone who is married – off limits.

Third, Abraham’s servant had a high standard. He was first taken by the beauty of Rebekah, but that beauty was soon overshadowed by her godliness. She revealed her godliness in her willingness to serve, and her great faith. Having never met Isaac, she was willing to trust the Lord and move forward with the relationship. Solomon wrote,

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

Finally, while the servant is out searching, Isaac is at home waiting on the Lord. This serves as a vivid illustration: Isaac represents the believer waiting on the Lord, and the servant represents the Holy Spirit at work. Isaac finds his bride, not by seeking her, but by seeking the Lord. Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). One of the grave mistakes we make is seeking a spouse, instead of seeking the Lord.

Pastor Jim