It’s More Than The Promise
I guess this is the part where you cast me for neglecting the work of the Lord by being preoccupied with my answered prayer, but I beg to differ. I’m not gonna lie I legit forgot how much one needed to study just to stay afloat, it’s crazy. Don’t worry though, I may not have been posting but I’ve been praying for you, I appreciate you so much! And truthfully, I haven’t been writing much or anything at all aside lecture notes... which oddly is satisfying to say.
I’ve been seeing shege, normal normal, but I try not to lose sight of the fact that I prayed for it, that I’m currently living the dream of 16 y/o me.
There’s the view right from my room, it’s better during the early hours of the day, when no one’s yelling their friend’s name from the ground floor, shouting for no reason or blaring music, just stillness; the stars are still out and the birds aren’t up yet. It’s really beautiful. Before the hustle and bustle begins I like to just stand in the corridor and stare and say as much “thank you’s” as I can to ABBA.
But aside the romanticized experience every morning, Lord knows how many times I’ve said, “thank God I didn’t get admission earlier” 'cause based on this shege I’m seeing, 16 y/o me would have been so clueless, disorganized and probably have more panic attacks than is normal.
Now, it pleases me to “burst your bubble” and clear your assumption on this post being about how God prepares us as we wait. It’s something different but no so afar off. Check out Hebrews chapter 11 with me...
- v9 By faith he (Abraham) lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God.
- v13 It was in faith that these persons died. They did not receive the things God had promised...
- v16 Instead, it was a better country they longed for, the heavenly country. And so God is not ashamed for them to call Him their God, because He has prepared a city for them.
- v17 It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice when God put Abraham to the test. Abraham was the one to whom God had made the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice. (GNT)
As I read through this I realized that if it was really only about the promised land (Gen. 12:1), none of our patriarchs would have died without receiving it! Because God watches over His word to fulfill them¹. But God didn’t become less of a promise keeper or less faithful because Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses or Aaron didn’t see the promise. He is even more glorious because on the path to the promise they found Him! And went deeper with Him.
On the path to the promised land they realized that God Himself was the goal (the greater promise) and so their focus/perspective changed. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God because He lead them to a greater treasure — Gen. 17:1 “... Walk before Me and be thou perfect”. THE promise was perfection! The promise to the land was the journey into perfection!!!
Let me break it to you, none of them died unfulfilled, they all attained THE promise. The onlookers who heard about Abraham leaving the country may have shook their heads and spat on the ground on hearing that he died in Hittite. But oh what joy must’ve filled his heart when he woke up in glory and realized that it was truly beyond “a marked territory”.
That was why Abraham didn’t hesitate to lay down the promised son (Isaac) if it lead him to THE promise of perfection. One is greater than the other! And just as the Faith of our fathers on their journey accounted for them righteousness, so our faith in Christ accounts for our justification. PRAISE GOD!
So when I look at my own innie winnie journey of here to there, I realize that if the Lord hadn’t stopped me on my tracks for 3 yrs in order to change my perspective/focus/path I probably would have just stuck with the premade path of bag the degree, get married, and the rest. I wouldn’t have encountered Him the way I did; see Jesus, hear Him, feel Him, burn for Him and you wouldn’t have had the chance to see this displayed on your screen.
If you really sit down and piece the puzzle, you will see that God never really mismanaged your life and the solution/answer to the burden you’re currently facing is already prepared. Ma foya — don’t be scared. God is not blind, nor deaf, nor is His hand too short to save. Look at Him, He will tell you where to look/what to focus on.
The Lord took him (Abraham) outside and said, “Look at the sky and try to count the stars; you will have as many descendants as that.” Genesis 15:5 (GNT).
JOURNAL ENTRIES
1st|August|2019 The Spirit of the living God showed me this scripture to meditate on this morning. Isaiah 60:1 Arise and shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
5.06.2020 I saw Him, I saw Jesus, my Jesus, I saw Him! I could see it, oh it was beautiful. I know Him, He is the light, the fire, the Lamb, the door, the way, the Lion. “I saw Him” I couldn’t stop saying that, I still can’t. It is imprinted on my heart. He is the One who speaks the truth, He is the truth, there is no one like Him, He is the one who consumes. I saw the marvelous light, the Light filled with identity and truth. I saw the Light!
12.06.2020 I just created an account on Medium where I can create blog posts. Can’t wait for all what God has in store!
You see, we aren’t just leaving countries, starting blogs, creating podcasts, releasing music, having gatherings, doing YouTube, writing books just because we can, we are on a journey and the promised land, son, admission, job etc. are only leading us even closer… To know Him, and make Him known.
