Spirit of Power

Hagar

Her hands shook as she laid the child beneath the small bush, its branches scarcely enough to shield the relentless rays of heat from the boy’s face.  Her breath caught as she stumbled back, unwilling to watch the inevitable taking place.  Turning the opposite direction, she lay down and curled her knees tightly to her chest.  If only Abraham were here, he might at least take their son to safety. But, no he’d been the one to leave them in this wilderness assuring her a caravan would be by giving her enough coin to ensure their passage and their safety.  Weeks had passed and the useless coins now lay scattered next to the empty wineskin.  How could he do this?  How could he abandon their son?  Their son.  It was never meant to be so.  Ishmael was to be Abraham and Sarah’s son.  Never hers.  She’d obeyed Sarah, she always obeyed Sarah it was all she’d known her entire life.  How could she have known the fierce passion and love she would feel for her child, the only thing in life that had ever been hers?  They’d forgotten to include emotion in all the careful planning.  Hagar, as much as she tried could not deny her son, and Sarah couldn’t love him.  They’d managed until Isaac was born.  Ishmael basked in the love of Hagar and his father, Abraham despite Sarah’s indifference.  But then Isaac, the long awaited promised child arrived.  And everything changed.  Now here they were, about to die because of rivalry, of pettiness, of jealousy. Hagar felt ready though.  Ready to be done with it all, she was so very tired.  Raising her voice she began to cry her grief into the wind, perhaps it would carry them off to the other side of this life.

A roar of thunder startled her and silenced her moaning.  “Hagar”, the voice came to her on the wind.  Looking around, she at first thought Abraham had returned, but the voice continued carried on the wind picking up around her.  “Hagar, fear not.  God hath heard the voice of your son where he is.  Arise, pick him up and carry him to safety for I will make him a great nation.” Recognizing a power beyond the earth, Hagar obeyed without thought.  Turning to Ishmael, she saw he still breathed and that his lips moved.  Leaning closer she recognized the words as those Abraham prayed to his God.  Ishmael had been praying while she had been ready to die.  Looking up, Hagar stared in disbelief unwilling to believe what her eyes beheld for just beyond the bush lay a small pool of water. 

“Ishmael, Ishmael we are saved.”  Hagar took her son’s hand and brought him to his feet, the weight of his body leaning upon her heavily in his weakness.  Together they made it to the water and knelt to drink life back into their bodies.

 

Hagar’s life story seems often overlooked, only a small part of the account of Abraham and Sarah.  How her story seems to speak to us though.  Perhaps because we have too many times found ourselves or others we are close to, a slave to events beyond our control.  Hagar obeyed her mistress, bore a child and in doing so became cut off from the only life she’d ever known.  Yet, in her weakest moment God spoke to her and gave her instruction which she followed. Despite the fact that they were facing death God said “Fear Not!”  Fear, one of our greatest enemies will rob us from hearing God and will keep us from finding that refuge and present help only to be found in him (Psalms 46:1-2).  But we have scripture after scripture to trust in, to help us when we don’t know what to pray, over and over we are told “Fear Not!”, in fact about 80 times are we told to fear not and another 30 to not be afraid, do not fear, etc.  The next time you are facing a situation that has dehydrated you to the point of spiritual exhaustion, and you just want to walk away remember the instructions to Hagar, “Fear Not, Arise…”, and get up and keep going.  God will provide the water you need (John 4:14), He will be with you every step of the way (Matthew 28:20), He will see you through (Philippians 4:6-7).  Lastly, remember you have the power to “do something” because that power comes from the love of God living in your heart 2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us not the spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.

The Journey

Sarah: The journey

A hot stifling breeze filled the already close tent, its inhabitants standing shoulder to shoulder.  A still form lay sleeping, unaware of those encircling her, the rise and fall of her chest the focus of their gaze.  Abundant dark hair with only traces of silver fanned out around her face, belying the years her life had seen.  Seated close at her right side, a man with a full white beard and flowing hair, gently stroked her hand.  Her eyes fluttered open, taking his breath for a mere moment once again struck by her beauty.  His princess, his Sarai.  So she had been called when he first took her hand, promising her the world in the impetuosity of his youth.  No wonder he feared for his life, believing others would kill just to possess her, even now with age her beauty still shone brilliantly.  Her eyes met his with a look of understanding only a lifetime of togetherness could produce.  Time had come for good-bye.  He pressed her hand to his heart, trying to quell the storm threatening to break within him.  He couldn’t.  He didn’t know how. 

Sarah looked into the eyes of her beloved, wishing she could somehow spare him the pain of this moment.  If only she could impart a tiny part of the peace now shrouding her like a quiet rain dampening every spark of fear threatening to break through.  If only she could tell him everything in her heart.  Of how much the love of Abraham had enriched her very existence, how blessed to have been loved and to love but most importantly of their journey together.  Not the miles they had traveled, or the places they had been, but the journey of finding God.  Finding God and at last knowing Him, reveling in the majesty of belonging to Him.  Raising her free hand she reached towards her son.  Isaac.  Running her hand through his curls she felt a small regret knowing she would never behold her grandchildren, however she still marveled at the miracle of Isaac’s existence.  Raising his head to look at her, she brushed the tears away and spoke softly so that only Abraham and Isaac could hear her, “Trust God.”  She felt Abraham’s grip tighten and looking into his face realized no other words were necessary, together through mistakes, doubts, and fears they’d learned the importance of those two simple words.  Even now, he nodded understanding even in her death he must continue to Trust God and to teach Isaac who would teach his children, and they theirs, until their legacy spread throughout an entire nation whose numbers would be greater than all the stars of the heaven…

 

As I studied and looked in between the lines and tried to write, all I could see was the entirety of her life.  Sarah was the matriarch of the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1).  Through her lineage and Abraham’s God declared would come kings (Genesis17:6), including the King of Kings.  Her husband, despite his faith and willingness to follow God, wasn’t perfect and his decision making cost them more than once, but ultimately he led his family to understand that no matter what the sacrifice God would provide (Genesis 22). What can we glean from all of this? I believe a great deal can be learned by just taking a moment to remember life is messy.  No matter how great a job you have or don’t have, no matter how wonderful your family is or isn’t, no matter how much money you have or don’t have, life is messy. 

Life is messy.  Thankfully I know a God who specializes in messes.  I want my life to be like Sarah’s. I want the mess of it all, combined with God’s grace, to reveal a beautiful story at the end worthy of a legacy left to the generations behind me.

Called Together

“An ark?” she looked at her husband puzzled by the description he’d just given her. An ark that measured three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high seemed an impossible picture to grasp, much less build. “Out of gopher wood?”

Noah looked at his hands, hearing the disbelief in his wife’s voice. “Yes,” he stated simply.

“And how exactly, where exactly, with what money are we to build it with?” She asked incredulously, looking around at their humble hut, its belongings meager indeed.

“I don’t know. I just know we have to and the Creator will make a way." Noah’s statement held no room for argument or question.

She knew that tone, and knew nothing she could say or do would sway him from his current path. Sitting down, for she found her legs suddenly would not hold her, a hundred thoughts went through her mind in an instant. They would have to move; somewhere deep in the forest for there would be no room to build anything here. What would her family say, her neighbors? How would they survive in the woods without the protection of the village? There were wild beasts, as well as men, who roamed the woods with no thought to life. Recent episodes of the wildness also in the village, of murder and rape, drunkenness and plunder, so widespread she or Noah remained awake around the clock to keep their home safe. The only moments fear did not accompany her every breath were those spent at the altar with Noah as he made sacrifice to the God of the heavens. Everyone else had abandon the rites at the altar, and forsaken the God taught to them of old, but Noah held steadfast to the teachings he learned at his grandfather’s knee. She looked up to find him watching her. Did she trust him? Did she believe him? He would walk into the woods to build an ark, and leave her here, if he really believed God commanded him to do so. Could she make the same sacrifice? The faces of her sons, bright and expectant filled her thoughts. She wanted something better for them. Something besides the fear they lived in every day. She wanted them to know the peace she found with Noah at the altar. Standing, hands on her hips her expression matching the resoluteness in his, she proclaimed, “Well, I guess we have a lot of work ahead of us then.”

When I think about the account of Noah I find myself wondering how he and his family, especially his wife handled the burden God placed upon them. I believe Noah found grace in the eyes of God because he still sacrificed at the altar as God commanded Adam. If others were continuing, then their sins would have been covered and they would have also found grace in God’s eyes. I believe he took his family with him, and they experienced the anointing of the altar together building a relationship of trust and respect with God and one another. Her role in supporting him, encouraging him, praying for him, and simply believing in him would have been vital to carrying out God’s will. Just as the animals were brought on male and female, so were Noah and his wife called together. Without doubt I believe God gave Noah the wife he would need to assist him. I'm sure she looked at their lives and the seeming impossiblity of the task and wondered, as I often have, how they would afford it, or how their tiny family could possibly build something so huge! But she chose to trust in Noah and trust in God. What characteristics and attitudes can we attribute to her, that possibly we can model to be ready when God calls us to the impossible?

We can be willing. Willing to sacrifice anything God asks of us to be in His will.

We can be supportive. We can be an encouragement to our family and friends, and support them when they are called to a ministry or task. No matter how big or small it may seem, encouragement is huge, just a smile or a word of “you’re doing a good job, I’m praying for you” can make all the difference.

We can be praying for and with those we are blessed to be in relationships with. Whether spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, or friend we need to find God at the center of our relationships.

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6-9&version=NKJV

From Mistake to Purpose

 

She walked along the bubbling stream, the carpet of the grass soft upon her feet.  Many days they would walk together, but at times like this one they would part and revel in finding new creations yet to name and explore.  Without realizing how far she went, the trees opened into a clearing and looking up, she beheld the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  They had been to this place and seen the tree together  after being instructed that every other part of creation was at their disposal, except this one.  Since the animals did not visit this part of the garden they had found no reason to return.  Turning to leave a flash of movement, behind the massive gnarled trunk, caught her eye.  Intrigued she stopped and stared.  There is was again, something almost like the animal called serpent.  She knew she should go and seek  Adam, but if she just had a closer look perhaps she would be able to describe it better.  It was curious for no other living thing had ever been followed here.  She started to take steps closer, some unseen force seemed to push her toward the tree.  Mist swirled around her as she stepped over the first root, it’s claw like ends sinking into the ground as if trying to consume the earth beneath.  Her breath came in short pants, and her eyes widened beholding a creature bedecked with glittering colors.  It rose up, and she backed away briefly an unknown coiling welling up inside her, but something pushed her forward again.

“Wisdom is yours.  You shall know everything the moment you eat of the tree.  Your job to find every living thing and its purpose in the universe will be complete in an instant.  For you shall know everything.”  Soft and smooth, the serpent spoke.  Somehow not alarming although none of the other creatures ever spoke in the same manner she and Adam did.  But the longer she stood here the more the coiling sensation left.  Maybe she should find out more.  Maybe it would help.  Just maybe. 

Looking up she saw the branches heavy and ready to harvest.  Large bluish orbs the color of the night sky glistened with ripeness.  Without hesitation her hand reached out and felt the velvety skin of the fruit right in front of her.  She should be able to tell him all she could about it,  shouldn’t she?  How heavy it looked, but the only way to gage it would be to hold it.  The voice of the serpent spoke into her mind “pull it from the tree”.   And she did, the fruit filling the palm of her hand, yet surprisingly light for its size.  If she took a bite she would be able to tell him if it would be a food for them or for the animals, as some plants seemed more for one than the other.  After all, they were to categorize everything.  Her lips touched the velvet smooth skin and her teeth bit into the softness of its flesh.  A bitter sweet juice filled her mouth.  Looking down Eve’s heart began racing, the fresh fruit was rotting in her hand.  Rancid sourness met her tongue and she tried spewing everything from her mouth.  A pain hit her stomach and she sunk to the ground unable to move. 

That’s where he found her.  Lying at the base of the forbidden tree.  His mind whirled.  Why was she there, they never came here, there was no reason to, no purpose in it.  Running to her, confused at the contorted look on her face, one he’d never seen nor recognized.  Her eyes opened, and filled with water, at the sight of his face.  Holding out her hand to him she revealed a piece of rotting fruit.  Looking back to her face, he shook his head.  No, he thought, no she didn’t eat it.  She wouldn’t, she knows not too.  But his eyes beheld the truth.

“I thought to eat of it for food, I thought it would be a good thing, I thought to bring you new knowledge.”  She whispered.  Listening with disbelief, he took the fruit from her hand.  Perhaps if he ate of it then God would spare her, perhaps He would believe that he, Adam, was at fault.  Perhaps he could save her.  Gagging at the smell of the fruit he brought it to his mouth and bit into it. 

Everything in the Old Testament is supposed to be a reflection of what would happen in the New.  Adam a reflection of Jesus Christ to come, 1 Corinthians 15:45 So it is written:  “the first Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life giving spirit.”  And the thought of what if it wasn’t a seduction.?  A temptation on Eve’s part to get him to join her in sin, as often portrayed.  Have you ever had a loved one in a circumstance of their own doing because of the bad decisions they made,  which placed them in a place of hardship difficult to watch?  Have you ever wanted to take on that pain yourself just to make it a little easier for them?  I have.  I have wanted to take their place.  To make everything better.  To carry their load for them.  Of course, it doesn’t work that way.  Try as we might we can’t carry their sin, or their guilt, or the pain.  Only by their own repentance are they able to give it over to Jesus Christ, who alone can wash away their sin.  Is it plausible then  that perhaps she did not entice him.  Perhaps she merely held out her hand telling him of what she’d done and in his humanness he sought to take her sin upon himself and ease her suffering.  Adam, the reflection of Christ to come, could he have attempted to take Eve’s sins upon himself revealing the greater plan to come that Christ would take all our sins to the cross. 

Grace is a blanket.  A big one.  Have you ever fought over a blanket?  Those tug of wars when it’s too small to keep everybody comfortable and warm?  We have fifteen blankets in the bin downstairs because don’t anybody even think about sharing my blanket when I’m curled up on the sofa, get your own!  But grace isn’t like that.  Our actions, unfortunately affect more than just ourselves.  Sometimes we, including myself, hold onto our sin because of  how it affected others.  We sell grace short of the fact that His grace is sufficient for all.  His grace covers every part of the situation.  In that same way were Adam and Eve both covered, God did not just cover Adam and leave Eve to her mistake…see Genesis 3:21…but he covered them both.

Lastly, after the mistake.  Despite the fact that they were told how they were to endure the pain and suffering of life (Genesis 3:16-19)  Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.  She still had purpose, value, and place in the plan of God.  A mistake does not define us, it does not define our purpose,  it most certainly does not define God’s will for us.  He always intended for Eve to be the mother of all living, it’s what he created her to be and we find that is still who she became.

 God’s plan can and will still be found in our lives despite our flaws, despite our mess ups, despite the fact that we are imperfect.   

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3&version=NKJV

One Who Helps

Hot.  So hot.  They had been clearing this bit of ground for 3 days and still rocks were everywhere.  She was sick of rocks, and of hearing Adam’s plan to grow the plants they learned would take away the sensation they now recognized as hunger. She reached down to pick up the next rock and stumbled to the ground.  Unhurt, she remained seated, and looking ahead she made out the broad shoulders of Adam intent on his work.  Just a moment she thought, I’ll rest for just a moment and if he says anything well maybe I’ll just throw one of these rocks his way, she grinned, imagining his response to the action.  Leaning back, she covered her face, attempting to keep the sun from her already burnt skin.  Closing her eyes she could feel the warmth of her breath against her check.  Her ears roared, remembering the day, that very first day when she felt the warmth of her first breath fill her body.  Her ears had roared that day, with sounds as loud as the waves of the river crashing on the banks during a storm.  And then the roar stopped suddenly, as her eyes flew open revealing a perfect blue sky.  Her chest had expanded with an intense warmth until the pressure, threatening to burst from the inside, at last gave way to the wind that parted her lips.  That’s when she first saw him.  Piercing brown eyes looking into her soul, revealed everything all at once.  Without words, she knew everything in an instant.  Knew who he was, how he was formed from the earth by the living God who breathed life into him, how that same God had made everything, including her, how he communed with God in the cool of the day, and what purpose her life held.  Help, he needed her and God had granted him an helpmeet.  Raising her to her feet, she looked up and saw the expanse of an ocean the green of life a backdrop to its vastness.  Suddenly, the vision vanished and she looked up to see the same piercing eyes looking at her with concern. 

            “We can stop for today, if we need to” he spoke helping her to stand.  Looking around she couldn’t help but see the difference.  A brown desert wasteland, with only small spots of patchy green, filled the space as far as she could see in any direction. He took her hand, his concern making her fill the tiniest bit guilty for her thoughts of hurling rocks at his head.  Help him, her conscious spoke clearly, you are to help him.

            Shaking her hand gently she replied, “No, it’s okay. I’m okay.  Let us continue on the work until the sun is a little farther down in the sky.” And side by side they continued their work, together.

 

Eve. What can we learn and see about the woman everybody seems to want to shake a finger at?

Genesis 1:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Alone. I admittedly hate being alone. Especially at night, when darkness falls and my imagination creates wild things out of every sound and shadow. But it wasn’t just because Adam needed the security of a companion because he had night time fears, he had been given work to do, even in his perfect Paradise and he needed help. Hold it, there’s a thought. Even when we have worked to find exactly where God wants us to be, we have to keep working? Yes. Living for God IS working for HIM, it does require effort. But THANK YOU Jesus, he will not leave you alone in that work. I believe just a God created Eve as an helpmeet for Adam, he has created us as helpmeets for one another. Perhaps God is placing you in a workplace, or as a neighbor, or in a family situation, or simply as a friend but be assured He is positioning you somewhere to be a helpmeet for someone.

Now, I know many of us are aware of the next chapters where weak Eve is persuaded to disobey. But let’s stop. Before we get there, to the part where mistakes are made in life, and if we let them can define our very existence. Today let’s focus on our purpose in creation, on Eve’s purpose. To be an helpmeet. The simplest definition of helpmeet is “one who helps”. Help, as defined by Merriam- Webster, is a verb, an action: to do something that makes it easier for someone to do a job: to make something less severe or more pleasant/easier to deal with: to aid or assist someone. Whichever way you choose to look at it, help is what woman was created to do. Ask yourself a very simple question, how can I help?

Read Genesis 1 & 2 NKJV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1-2&version=NKJV