Surrendering To God’s Will When it is toughest

Greetings to all!

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10

Isn’t this the foremost prayer that is taught in our life? However, we inadvertently make short and long-term life goals. But if one has to undergo a sudden and most radical course at one stage, will it still be easy to accept and follow through the will of God?

There are many people in Bible who surrendered their lives to God’s will at such adverse situations. I would like to talk to you about two unnamed characters – one who submitted and one who didn’t and how it affected their and their families lives in this blogpost.

1. Jephthah’s daughter in Judges 11:34-40.

To give a quick backstory of the character, Jephthah is a soldier who was sought to lead Israel’s army against the Ammonites when the latter was preparing for a battle to take back the land, which had been occupied by Israel for over three hundred years. After an unsuccessful attempt at a peace treaty with the King of Ammon, Jephthah, full in spirit, promises to sacrifice the first person who comes to greet him upon his return to God if He was to give him and Israel the victory. God gave him a massive victory but when he returns to his home, he’s distraught to find his daughter and his only child being the first person to greet him. Broken, he tells her about his promise to God.  His daughter whom I presume to be a young adult as the Bible says she was an unmarried virgin replies back saying

 “My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the LORD. Do to me just as you promised, now that the LORD has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites.”

Judges 11:36

This shows the utmost obedience a young person could have for her father and God himself. Just a moment back she was dancing and playing tambourine to welcome her father and the next moment is ready to lay down her life. Although short, her life was wholesome as she knew the importance and value of the promise made to God which wouldn’t be possible if she did not fear God; and wise to heed to His command. This sacrifice was honoured by God, as Jephthah, a son of a prostitute waged two successful wars and led Israel for six years.

        2. Lot’s wife in Genesis 19:12-29.

Despite Abraham negotiating six times with God and multiple efforts by the angels of God to save Lot and his family from the awaiting destruction of the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah; we know how Lot and his family couldn’t be saved for long. It just took a small disobedience – looking back at the destruction by Lot’s wife to turn her into a pillar of salt v26. Although it’s a massive thing for a lady to abandon her home and all her belongings, it should have been just enough to see her family around safe and secured by the promise to be saved from the destruction. But the non-acceptance of the will of God, however a momentary thing, sealed God’s blessings and protection from Lot’s lineage.

God’s hands are not short to turn things over. All we have to do is trust, obey and follow Him. His grace is sufficient for any such situation.

May God make us sensitive to His commands and give us the foresight and strength to wholeheartedly submit to His plans.

God bless

Sis Jessie Don

God’s love missions family