Scriptures
Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born. 17. When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. Genesis 16:16 & 17:1.
Application
Just before the thanksgiving break, I had written about getting out of your comfort zone to get the big blessing that God promised you. Today would be a continuation of that. These are practical steps to get into what God has for you.
The next thing to keep in mind if you want to step into the big blessing that God has for you is to lose your perceived strength. God doesn’t need it. On your journey of faith, your perceived strength would always be your fall back option if faith doesn’t work out. That is why as God works with us, one of the classes we repeat often is letting go of our strength.
In Abraham's case, he had at least two events that stretched him beyond his strengths. The first was that his body and that of his wife Sarah were dead reproductively. The second was the command to take his son and sacrifice him. We will only discuss the first event.
Because they didn’t have a child, Sarah tried playing it safe using the human strength and safety net of Hagar, her servant. She didn't know that it was her perceived strength that God was trying to get rid off. Eventually God got rid of it.
What is the perceived strength that you are using to help God? For some folks, their perceived strengths are loans and credit cards to make ends meet. Others don't want to lose that girlfriend or boyfriend because of fear of being alone. Some don't want to step out of their "job security" and start "risky business." However, as long as you are doing stuff in your strength, God won’t step in as your strength.
So, I encourage you not to keep what God is trying to kill. Stop repeating that class. Your "major blessing" doesn’t need your strength to be accomplished. It needs God’s strength. Lose your perceived strength and watch God step in.
Prayer Points
- Lord, thank you for knowing my heart.
- Lord, I turn over my strength to you.