Last week we thought about the God who chooses - this week we're looking at the fact that God gives us freewill and every day we have choices and decisions to make. Once we're a Christian we acknowledge that 'Jesus is Lord'. This means that we will want to do what God wants rather than what we want.
In the story of Jacob and Esau (we're looking at Genesis 27 this Sunday) some bad choices were made. We have already seen how Esau sold his birthright for a pot of stew - giving up the things that God had for him in favour of instant gratification. In this passage Isaac made some bad choices. Whereas Esau was careless, Isaac was senseless (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste as well as common sense!). All his senses made him suspicious that something was not right but he went ahead with the blessing regardless - why not just call in one of the servants who could see properly and ask him or her how this was before him?
Making decisions and choices can be difficult, especially when we want to do what God wants. An older, more mature Christian once gave me the following advice. According, Advice, Able, Available, Activate. Is the thing you're thinking about in accordance with the Bible? Have you sought the advice of older more experienced Christians - who can not only talk with you but also pray with you and for you? Are you able to do it? (It is unlikely God is calling me to apply be a brain surgeon (even if I can dress the part)!) Are you available to do? (If you work 9-5 it is unlikely that God wants you to respond to the request for a helper for the toddler group which starts at 1pm - unless He is also asking you to change working hours or job). Finally does it activate you? (Sometimes when I am talking with people and they start to talk about what they think God might be wanting them to do they 'come alive'. Their face, body language, voice etc become so much more expressive and excited. It's like someone has turned on a switch.
God has promised to forgive us for our mistakes (1 John 1:9), but that is not the same thing as taking away the consequences. In the story of Jacob and Esau we might think that Rebekah and Jacob got away with their scheme. But the consequences of Rebekah's plan was that the son that she loved was sent away to stay with her brother and find a wife - she thought this would only be a short time until Esau calmed down. But it was to be for years and Rebekah was never to she her son Jacob again. That was quite a price to pay. God does forgive us but sometimes we have to deal with the consequences of our mistakes.
One of the amazing things about this story is how through all the human scheming, deception and lies God is still able to work out His promises and purposes. These characters made unwise and ungodly choices and yet still the ultimate plan of God is worked out. God is at work behind the scenes. When we look at our lives and wonder with everything that is going on 'where is God in all this?' we can take encouragement that God is working out His purposes (Romans 8:28) - it's just we don't have a clue what He's up to or why He's allowing it to happen this way!
Listen to this message from Pastor Keith from 28 October 2008.
