Provocative Maneuvers

Gen.22:¹⁶ “This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that ¹⁷ I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore…” [with emphasis]

God has feelings, God can be blessed. David says, “Bless the Lord Oh my soul!” In our scripture reference today, God says because of what Abraham did, he provoked an uncommon response from God. When you put God ahead of your own priorities, when you put God’s needs [as it were] above your own needs, you provoke an overflow from God Himself. When you make God’s desire your priority, what you are doing is you are provoking a response from God. That is how love is, love always provokes a response. If someone says he or she loves you, but you keep giving and it does not provoke a response. He or she does not love you, face it! Or maybe the love has gone cold.

Love always provokes a response. Solomon gave and gave and gave and went to sleep. God stayed awake thinking, how can I respond to this? God came to Solomon Himself. Every other person was having vigils, praying, looking for God. God was looking for Solomon. What side do you want to be on – looking for God or God looking for you? The best place to be is where Solomon was. If you are not in church will God miss you? Let it be that when you are not in church, God will be saying who will express unrestrained praise today? I pray that your life will be such that God will consistently seek you, in Jesus Name.

God wants us to deploy the power of we, we cannot afford to be selfish. We cannot afford to sit down in our little corner and isolate ourselves from community. That is the recipe for destruction. When we are depressed, learn from Hannah how to turn your tears into joy. Hannah started out being upset and depressed and sorrowful but then Hannah began to cheer up. How did she move from depression to cheering? Hannah found a safe place. Hannah went to the tabernacle, to God’s house where she can express herself. God’s Favorite House is a safe place! Hannah did not only find a safe place, Hannah took it further, she opened up. You can be in a safe place and not open up. If you are in a safe place and you do not become vulnerable, people cannot help you, cannot pray for you, cannot minister to you. Open up!

God wants us to share one another’s burdens. The mistake a lot people make is that we are waiting for the Holy Spirit to tell other Christians about our problems. It is arrogance, pride really. He says, no – you open your mouth and ask for help, be humble ask for help!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, please search me and purge me of deep seated pride. Help me leverage God’s gift of community and be God’s gift to the Godly people around me, in Jesus Name. Amen!