Crumbs Under the Table

Psalm 37:5  Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

Back in December, a dear family friend came and worked with my oldest daughter and I to get the house ready to sell, After working all day together, the after dinner conversation centered on her future plans.

It had become apparent to me after talking with her over a course of a few years that she had a desire to return to New Zealand. She had originally traveled there on a short term missions trip.

That night, after much exhortation, she became persuaded that God had put that desire in her heart and decided to act on it this summer.

I saw her again this past weekend at a mutual friend’s wedding and asked her about the move. She lamented that she had no offers on her SUV and was beginning to wonder if it was God’s will for her to move.

If we believe that we live in a fallen world that is at enmity with God, then we should not be surprised that circumstances make it more difficult to carry out God’s wishes.

It is one thing to delight ourselves in Him and allow Him to put His desires into our hearts. It is quite another to act on that desire and enter into what He has for us. It is all too easy, even comforting, to shrink back in unbelief or fear when the time for action arrives. (Heb. 10:38)

Yet, you and I are not the first to face this temptation. The children of Israel were glad to learn of God’s desire to deliver them from the harsh life of slavery in Egypt. However, they were not willing to fight to take possession of the Promise Land.

Notice that the Holy Spirit follows “He shall give you the desires of your heart” with “commit your way to Him.” 

It takes faith to please God. (Heb. 11:6) Do we have the courage to launch out and do what God has put into our hearts? Are we willing to pack up our belongings and move, like Abraham? (Heb. 11:8) Are we willing to refuse the promotion at the big corporation so that we might start something new and unproven like Moses? (Heb. 11:24-25) Are we willing to commit to love one person in marriage? Are we willing to end the relationship that we are currently in because we know it is not right?

We inherently fear change. Frequently, we would rather remain miserable in the safety of our chains than to face the unpredictable vulnerabilities of risk and opportunity.

We are like infants. We want to explore and learn and live. However we can only crawl. God, the original father, is encouraging us to take our first steps.