“The efforts which we make to escape from our destiny only serve to lead us into it.” Waldo Emerson
Warren W. Wiersbe states it perfectly, “Because God gave us freedom of choice, we can ignore the will of God, argue with it, disobey it, even fight against it. But in the end, the will of God shall prevail; because ‘The counsel of the Lord stands forever.’(Psalms 33:11)
If we obey God’s will, everything in life holds together; but If we disobey, everything starts to fall apart.”
Introduction Book of Ruth (Ruth 1:1-5)
When I read the Bible I am very intentional about highlighting the “ifs” because they signify a condition and remind me of the reward! We are called to respond to these conditions which must be met before the promise can be fulfilled in our lives. However, we often desire His blessing without putting in the necessary work. We do this when we embrace the trials or challenges that Scripture refers to after the “ifs.” These trials or challenges serve as a beautiful reminder of all the promises God holds for us when we obey His will. (It’s not a question of if we obey, but rather when we choose to obey!) His promises become even more delightful when we emerge victoriously from a challenging storm. We can confidently say, “ ..With God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26)
Webster’s 1828 dictionary states that, “IF is a condition or conditional sentence. It introduces a hypothetical scenario or requirement, often setting the stage for a consequence or promise.” We see this word 1,637 times in the Bible, highlighting its importance in conveying conditional statements and divine promises.
I challenge you not to allow the trials in your life to distract you from God’s promises and provision. Keep pushing forward! Avoid letting unbelief become your default, escape route or back door. Scripture advises us, “Be careful then dear brother and sisters. Make sure that your hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the Living God.” (Heb. 3:12) If you’re uncertain of the condition of your heart, read His promises in Scripture and view how you respond to them. Pay attention to the way you think as you read. Don’t merely read; allow the words to settle, heal, and nourish your soul. One example is, “For IF you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But IF you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
What thoughts arise when you read this scripture? I challenge you to avoid becoming overly religious about this question. We can become so familiar with scripture that we unknowingly dilute the power and authority of His promise, turning it into something merely memorized. I challenge you to live, breathe, and consume scripture. This causes your faith to increase because you believe His Word comes from the very depth of our core!
Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal any doubts that might be hindering or rationalizing your response. If forgiveness is not an issue for you, feel free to move on to the next promise. If we are not careful this can complicate our ability to accept God’s promises and provision due to our reluctance to …..(you name it) The issue lies in our attention to major challenges, yet often the most difficult are the little, “…foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard…” (Song of Solomon 2:15) which can be equally difficult.
In Ruth 1, we encounter a couple named Elimelech and Naomi. The initial five verses of this Book reveal the challenges they faced. Scripture states, “There was a famine in the land of Canaan.” (Ruth 1:1) Because of this famine, Elimelech chose to move his family to Moab.
I can’t help but wonder if he considered the promise God made to His people before deciding to leave Canaan. Did Naomi remind him of God’s promises? Was she willing to endure this hardship, or did she agree to avoid this trial as well? Elimelech’s unbelief led him to take his family to Moab and everything started to fall apart. Our unbelief often drives us to flee from problems that, in reality, come with an amazing promise. If we stand ready to embrace the trials and trust God during these difficult times.
What we fail to realize is that the choices we make when facing difficulties will lead us to one of three paths: tolerance, avoidance, or signing up to trust God. Let’s look at the differences between the three.
When we tolerate the trials in our lives, it signifies that these challenges take control over us, leading to feelings of harshness and bitterness. What aspects of your life are you willing to compromise your emotions, habits, or beliefs that conflict with His Biblical Worldview? When we avoid the trials in our lives, it indicates that we may overlook the purpose that God intends to fulfill in our lives. It can denote the action of stopping something from occurring or distancing oneself from a person, location, or idea that is uncomfortable or induces anxiety. When we sign up for the trials in our lives, it implies that these challenges serve us, and “..God will work all things together for our good and His glory.” (Romans 8:28) We refuse to allow life’s challenges to seer our covenant with Christ.
Regrettably, Elimelech chose poorly, as stated in Ruth 1:3, “ Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons.” Following that, verse 5, continues with, “ and then both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.” Naomi’s unbelief in God’s promise resulted in her enduring the sorrow of losing all the men in her life while residing in a foreign land, far from home.
I invite you to reflect on both past and present circumstances you are facing and assess how you have navigated challenges. What patterns do you notice? Keep in mind that God has granted us the freedom to choose; we can choose to disregard His will, debate it, disobey it, or even oppose it. The fundamental question is: do you struggle to accept and believe any part of the promise contained after the “If?” If you’re truthful with yourself, what is your usual default reaction: tolerance, avoidance, or committing to trusting God?
As I previously stated, approach the Lord in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to uncover the moments in your past and present where doubt has influenced your actions as well as the instances when you committed to trusting God. Embrace your errors and celebrate your victories. It’s crucial to acknowledge your successes and share them with others. After that, break off any familiar or generational curses through prayer and fasting.
Signing up to trust in God involves clinging to the cross during our trials and persevering until the moment of breakthrough arrives, fulfilling the promises and will of our Father!
2 Chronicles 7:14 states, “ IF My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear {them} from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Avoid falling into the trap of a negative and remorseful “if only” mentality. When your faith is in His promises, He empowers you to wholeheartedly accept and embody His Words. This guides us into aligning with His promises for our life.