‘IF AND THEN’

Post date: Oct 10, 2012 5:08:56 AM

“And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, this man shall not be your heir, but he who shall come from your own body shall be your heir. And He brought him outside [his tent into the starlight] and said, look now toward the heavens and count the stars, if you are able to number them. Then He said to him, So shall your descendants be. And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God).” Genesis 15:4-6

God will always desire to provide credible leads and guides to all of His children because of His unending love to us. Let it be clear in your mind that you are dearly loved by God irrespective of the situation you are passing through right now. To show His immersed love, He gives us His words and provided guidelines to benefit in them all. He wants us to make profitable use of all provisions put in place for us. Giving yourself to be led by the word of God everyday will result in an amazing reward despite the initial feelings of confusions, disappointments and frustrations. God has not, and will never leave any one of us without a daily guide and a daily reward if we request any. Like Abraham in the passage above who was confused and disturbed about a child, you might not see the reward immediately, but I am convinced that according to His words, the result will surely come if we continue in them. God told Abram ‘if’ and followed by ‘then’.

There are so many ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ in the world, but the ‘ifs’ in the bible are followed by the ‘then’ and a clear set out path that will lead you to plans and purposes of God for your life when carefully followed. Many people uses ‘if’ in expressing regrets that reflects a bad action, a bad report or result of a past event in life. But the bible verses we are looking into today does not use ‘if’ as regret, but as a word one should consider following because of the result that will follow.  

I am always happy when I see what follows the word if in the bible. Here is an amazing example given to all: “My son, if you will receive my words and treasure up my commandments within you, Making your ear attentive to skillful and godly wisdom and inclining and directing your heart and mind to understanding [applying all your powers to the quest for it]; Yes, if you cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding. If you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures.” Proverbs 2:1-4

There are tremendous changing powers in every word of God we treasure and follow. The ‘ifs’ here are assured to bring that change, but they are all left for us to make up our heart to follow them diligently. We are asked to receive the word, treasure the word, pay attention to every detail, inclining our ears to them and give our hearts to following them. Again ‘if’ we cry for understanding, if we seek wisdom, in ever situation God will not deny us. The reward of the ‘if’

“Then you will understand the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of [our omniscient] God. For the Lord gives skillful and godly Wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He hides away sound and godly Wisdom and stores it for the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him); He is a shield to those who walk uprightly and in integrity, That He may guard the paths of justice; yes, He preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness, justice, and fair dealing [in every area and relation]; yes, you will understand every good path. For skillful and godly Wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant to you. Discretion shall watch over you, understanding shall keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil and the evil men, from men who speak perverse things and are liars” Proverbs 2:5-12

God has blessed us, now He want to reward us; He wants us to be a success in everything we do. Just like Abraham, the decision to follow is ours and God will never fail in His promise to rewards as He did to Abraham. Someone is here to pray with you. Click here