September 05, 2024
" Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. "
- Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
The events around the birth of Issachar included the brief dialogue where the loved but childless wife, Rachael traded a night with her husband for mandrakes with her unloved co-wife and sister, Leah (Genesis 30:14-18). The barter seemed logical because mandrakes are plants that were used to boost fertility. However, this ended up being a mistake because Leah conceived Issachar on that night with Jacob while Rachael remained childless for a longer time.
We find a similar situation in the story of Abraham and Lot where Lot chose the portion of land that looked like the garden of the Lord (Genesis 13:10) only to find himself among the perversions (and ultimately, a fleeing refugee from the destruction) of Sodom and Gomorrah.
When we act out of order by making choices outside the will of God, we are weaker for it. Even worse, like in the case of Lot, we are endangered by it. The book of Proverbs admonishes that we do not lean on our understanding. Instead, we should trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and He shall direct our paths.
Man is too limited and simplistic to make a decision that will be good through all seasons.
Man’s need for God is inversely highlighted in Lot’s scenario in the sense that even with the best of goodwill from a loving uncle and the personal desire to choose God’s will, it is still possible to make the wrong choice when we do not check our options with God.
In all his knowledge and skill, man is too limited and simplistic to make a decision that will be good through all seasons. We do not even know, for a fact what choice will have a huge, little or zero impact in the long run. Life is full of choices, and this is a serious call for deep intimacy with the Holy Spirit. He is the only reason we will not be led into temptation. (Matthew 6:13)
Today, can you decide to look away from the mandrake or whatever you think is the right choice and spend time with God to gain understanding and direction for the next phase of life?
Song of Worship
You are Alpha & Omega
We worship you our God
You are worthy to be praised
Song by Israel Houghton
Prayer - Lord, help me to trust in Your wisdom and guidance, and to turn away from relying on my understanding so that I may walk in the path You have set for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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