Year of Realization - Day 38: It’s not about the strategy, but about obedience.

“And Esther replied, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king.””

‭‭Esther‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT

Sampson had been asked by Delilah three times before he told her the true source of his strength. Tragically, he mistakenly assumed that he would yet again be able to stir up his strength as before.

“Then she cried out, “Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!” When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him. So the Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They took him to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze chains and forced to grind grain in the prison.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Early in their 40 year desert journey, the children of Israel were threatening to stone Moses because they had no water to drink. When Moses appealed to the Lord for help, the Lord told Moses to strike a rock out of which water would come.

“The Lord said to Moses, “Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink.” So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Later on in the journey, as the people were again grumbling for water, the Lord told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come out to refresh the people.

“”You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.” So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭20‬:‭8‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Although God honored his servant Moses by sending the water (even though he struck the rock instead of speaking to it), He kept Moses from being able to lead the people into the promised land. Moses had failed to honor God before the people.

In the example of Sampson, he assumed that because he could always shake himself and have the Lord strengthen him, he would be able to do it this time although he had disobeyed the Lord by breaking the covenant.

Moses let his anger cause him to use a method prescribed by the Lord before, rather than what the Lord now wanted him to do. And, as we said, it ended up with him not entering into the promised land.

Many of us (myself included) would like to have God give us a “formula” that always works. But indeed, that very formula can become a source of idolatry as it did in terms of the ephod.

You see, the ephod had been used to seek the will of God. But at one point it became a stumbling block to His people.

“Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭8‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The bronze serpent used by Moses (at God’s command) to bring a cure to the people in the wilderness, later had to be destroyed by King Hezekiah because it had become an object of worship.

“He removed the pagan shrines, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke up the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because the people of Israel had been offering sacrifices to it. The bronze serpent was called Nehushtan.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

With God, there is no “formula” except obedience. Therefore, we should never assume that we can use a particular method and always get the results we’ve gotten before. Indeed, if it is not done out of obedience, it can be a disaster!

In our opening scripture we see that Esther—having been asked by the king what she desires—makes a simple request for the king and Haman to come to a banquet she had prepared.

Now, we could get sidetracked by thinking about the strategy she used (which is an interesting one). But, the point is, in her days of preparation, the Lord had apparently given her a plan. That’s why she’s doing what she’s doing; and that’s why it will work.

Remember, it’s not about a formula, it’s about obedience.

We are living in unusual times and the Lord may use unusual methods. But however He chooses to get us through all of this, if we are obedient, it will work!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization