“And Amaziah said to the man of God, ‘But what shall we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?’ The man of God answered, ‘The Lord is able to give you much more than this.’” — 2 Chronicles 25:9 ESV
Last week we looked at the story of King Amaziah of Judah. He invested in the Ephraimites to boost his army, only to be told by the man of God that they shouldn’t be taken to battle with them. Naturally, the king was worried about the investment he had made but the man of God assured him not to worry about it because God “…is able to give much more than this.”
Amaziah obeyed the Lord’s instructions and he won the battle against the men of Seir. However, he didn’t get the full blessings of God because of his actions afterwards and that’s another story altogether!
There are many examples of people in the Bible who had to leave or let go of things they held dear to obey the call of God in their lives. Abraham is a good example:
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.’” Genesis 12:1-2 (ESV)
Here Abraham was called out from his country and family. As many will know, this can be hard because family means a lot to us, it’s where we find our identity, the source of our support and encouragement.
A few years later, Abraham faced another dilemma, when Sarah demanded he sends Ishmael and Hagar away. “So she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.’ And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, ‘Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.’” Genesis 21:10-13 (ESV)
We can imagine how this can be difficult for any good father especially as God supported Sarah’s request. God, however, promised to bless Ishmael because he was Abraham’s son and Abraham obeyed.
When we follow God’s leading, the blessings are not only material, it is always much more even to future generations. Obeying God’s call or leading will not be easy, as it wasn’t easy for Abraham, Moses and many others.
However, we have a God who promised, “… He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV). And we need to trust that whatever we are leaving behind, God is able to “give much more” in every way.
“…Jesus replied, ‘and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.’” Luke 18: 29 – 30 (NLT)
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 