I CAN’T BEAT GOD WITH TIME

The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”   Genesis 25:22-23

   Rebekah is pregnant with twins.  She wouldn’t be the first to feel the angst of a child in her womb.  Much can be revealed there for the bad, but also for the good. One of Rebekah’s children fought with a sibling.  Many years later, Elizabeth’s baby in her womb would erupt for joy when he sensed Jesus in Mary’s womb.  We are naïve to think that we, also, were not affected by life around us while being carried to term.

Rebekah is wise and goes to ask the Lord about this ‘striving’ within her.  God prophesies that this spiritual rub between the children will be historical.  What is small now will involve nations in the future.  One will prevail over the other, one is destined by God to rule.

When God opens His mouth to speak, I can count on the fact that it is already history.  If I don’t like what He has proclaimed, I would be wrong to think that I can set out to change things with great effort.  To say under my breath, “Oh yeah?  Things may be this way now, but just wait!”  How foolish.  Can any man beat God?  Can any think of waging a contest with Him and believe they’ll win?

What God declares has always been true, is true today, and will always be true.  He is unchanging.  This is hard to grasp when I’m surrounded by humans who change their mind all the time.  Most of the things I felt strongly about in my youth, down to my favorite colors, have changed with the years.  But God?  I can’t beat His plans with time and ingenuity.

How did things turn out for the twins?  God’s prophecy prevailed as it always does.  One nation, born from the one God blessed, ruled over the other nation for years to come.  In 2 Samuel, King David (the blessed twin’s line) conquered the Edomites (the 2^nd twin’s line) and they remained under his control for 130 years.  No amount of fighting, whether in the womb, as toddlers, as adolescents, or as grown men, would change what God had decreed to Rebekah on that day.

There are parts of scripture that are easy to like and accept.  But there are others that can cause internal struggle.  Trusting God is a choice when I stumble over one of His ways.  I can think it ought to be different and then set out to prove it, only to reach utter futility.  God’s Word always prevails.

I learned the hard way that I am not exempt from what You have blessed and cursed.  Your Words rule over my life, but rule with power and love.  I’m so glad I stopped fighting.  Amen

Journal Question:  What fight do you need to give up today?  What war with God have you waged and how is that affecting your life, and affecting your heart?  Are you ready to believe that you will see futility ahead and consider repenting of pride and rebellion?  Ask God for the humility to learn from history.