Daily Devotions
Submission or Agreement
Reading for January 7th: Genesis 22-24
He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
Genesis 22:2
What does it mean to submit?
The story is told about a farmer who gave his son plans for a farm. A house, a barn, a fence, and a well were included in these plans. Where all these things were to go on the property was clearly marked in the plans.
The son took those plans and put the house, fence, and barn right where his father asked him, but when he looked at the location of the well, it seemed to be too far from the house, so he dug the well right next to the house.
The question is, When did the son submit to his father?
The anser is, NEVER! When he put the house, the barn, and the fence where his father asked he was not submitting to his father's will, he simply agreed with what him in those cases.
Are we submitting to God or do we just happen to agree with him sometimes? Have we submitted to God's design for worship, organization, and work in the church or does God's way just happen to suit our preferences? Have we submitted to God's will concerning patience and forebearance? Turning the other cheek? Meekness? Forgiveness? Do we follow God only when he agrees with what we want to do anyway? Do we obey only when it is convenient?
The bottom line is this: What do we do when God's instructions just don't make sense?
Lord God, give us a submissive heart. Help us to trust your wisdom in everything.
