Steps to the Blessing of God - Pt2

Genesis 30:22–24 KJV 1900

22 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: 24 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The Lord shall add to me another son.

Last week, began looking at “Steps to the Blessing of God” as we looked at the circumstances surrounding Joseph’s birth.

God remembered Rachel - He turned his attention specifically upon her for a particular purpose.

God heard Rachel - because He was now ready to act on her behalf for His own purposes, He now paid special attention to her prayers and was ready to answer her.

3. God blessed Rachel

Look at God’s answer to Rachel’s cries.

God opened her womb - He removed the obstacles

NB He had placed the obstacles there in the first place

Genesis 29:31 KJV 1900

31 And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.

Why would God put obstacles in our way?

4 reasons:

To redirect us

Paul and his companions

Acts 16:6–8 KJV 1900

6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

Heading in a direction in life that isn’t sinful, won’t necessarily be harmful to our testimony or to the message of the gospel, but it just isn’t the path the Lord wants us to go down. It isn’t the plan He has for us, and so He places an obstacle in our way.

That obstacle may be an offer that’s withdrawn or never made in the first place.

It can be an unsettledness that we have - you can call it a gut instinct if you want, but I believe it’s the working of the Holy Spirit like we see in Ac 16:7 (“…the Spirit suffered them not” - the Holy Spirit didn’t allow them to go into Bithynia.

Young people, as you make your plans for the future, make sure you’re sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And if you don’t get an offer you’re sure you would have got, thank the Lord for making His will so clear on that issue, and be excited that God has something else planned for you.

You see, if God prevents us from going in a certain cirection, it’s because He has something different planned.

Acts 16:8–10 KJV 1900

8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

God’s plan for Paul and his companions was for them to go into Macedonia. He didn’t want them to go back into Asia, or Turkey, as it is now, but into northern Greece, to open the door for the gospel to spread throughout Europe.

If Paul had not obeyed the redirecting obstacles God placed before him, the whole history of Europe may have been radically different.

So God’s obstacles can be placed to redirect us.

To discipline us

The Corinthian church

1 Corinthians 11:30 KJV 1900

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

Here Paul is talking about how we come to remember the Lord.

In the Corinthian church, the believers didn’t just have the breaking of bread, but they also had lunch together, but the wealthy believers had plenty of food while the poor believers had almost nothing. But the wealthy didn’t share with the poor and so the breaking of bread became divisive in the church instead of uniting them in thanksgiving and worship.

So Paul told them to enjoy their abundance at home for the sake of not causing division.

By the way, this command from Paul has nothing to do with us having suppers or any other kind of corporate meal together. It’s a command not to be rubbing our own material blessings in the faces of those who have less.

But Paul also commanded them not to be remembering the Lord carelessly, but to do so having examined themselves carefully, so they could remember the Lord without any unconfessed sin, and having no conflict or barrier to fellowship with another believer.

You see, the divisive behaviour was causing resentment, and so the rich were remembering the Lord without humility or generosity, while the poor were remembering the Lord with resentment in their hearts. Both groups were eating and drinking unworthily as they were meant to be remembering the Lord.

And as a result, the Lord had allowed, or even made, some of the believers to become weak, or sick, or even to die.

Weakness and sickness was given to discipline this church into unity and remembering the Lord “worthily” as they should have been doing all along.

Now not all weakness or sickness is the result of God’s discipline. In fact it took Paul to explain to the Corinthian believers that the weakness and sickness they had was being caused because of God’s displeasure with their behaviour.And so Paul exhorts the believers to exmaine themselves (1Co 11:28) before they eat the drink of the Lord’s table.

The word examine means to test, to prove, to discern, or to distinguish.

It means that we must never have the attitude that I’m fine and it’s everyone else who’s wrong, but rather to start to start with the assumption, “What is it that I have done that may lead God to discipline me?” - and if, after examining ourselves in the light of God’s Word, we can say that there is nothing unconfessed or left undealt with, we can then “eat of that bread, and drink of that cup”.

God places obstacles to redirect us towards something different.

God places obstacles to discipline us towards correction.

To delay us

Moses

Exodus 2:11–12 KJV 1900

11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

Contrary to some modern depictions of Moses in the media, Moses was well aware of his Hebrew origins. He may have even been aware of how God had preserved his life as a baby and it’s not too much of a stretch to say that he may have thought that God had delivered him so that he could deliver his own Hebrew brethren from under slavery in Egypt.

And so at 40 years old, thinking no-one is looking, he tests out his theory by trying to deliver one Hebrew who’s being beaten by an Egyptian.

But then Moses’ plans fall apart.

Exodus 2:13–15 KJV 1900

13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. 15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

Moses’ great plans to be the deliverer for the Hebrew people came apart before it ever began, and for the next 40 years he’s a shepherd in Midian, in the backside of the desert (Ex 3:1).

So we can understand his reluctance to go back to Egypt when God calls him. Sure he tried to deliver the Hebrews 40 years earlier and it was a disaster, over before it even began, and that’s when he had great position and influence in Egypt. What could he do now when he had so little to offer?

But Moses didn’t realise that God had allowed that Hebrew slave to see what he had done, and God had allowed Pharaoh to seek to kill Moses in revenge, and He had allowed Moses to learn humility in the desert for 40 years. And only then was Moses ready to be used by God to deliver the Children of Israel.

Sometimes God’s obstacles delay us so that He can take some time to better prepare us for His service, or so that certain resources can be prepared and put into place to make our service for Him all the more effective.

And I’m not just talking about full-time service for God. I’m talking about the delay God may bring into your career, or for a promotion or expansion, or to build a house or move house.

It could be God needs other people to move on or move in before circumstances are what God needs for you to be mobilised. Perhaps God’s plans for you are connected with changes to the law that may come into force 5 or 10 years from now.

Don’t be afraid of God’s delays. But be excited to know God is moving into place all you need to be of the greatest service to Him.

God places obstacles to redirect us into something different that’s more in tune with God’s purposes.

God places obstacles to discipine us, to bring about correction in our walk with God.

God places obstacles to delay us, so we can anticipate being of service in His time.

To Refuse Us

David

1 Chronicles 17:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord remaineth under curtains. 2 Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee. 3 And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in:

1 Chronicles 17:11–12 KJV 1900

11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

Now it wasn’t because David had wrong intentions or wanted to do it for selfish reasons. We know that his reasons were honourable and his desire was to glorify God.

Listen to Solomon’s description of what God said to David:

1 Kings 8:18–19 KJV 1900

18 And the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart. 19 Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

So if it was a good idea and David was intending to do it for the right reasons, why would God not let David go ahead and build the temple?

1 Chronicles 28:2–3 KJV 1900

2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building: 3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

David was a man of war. Before he was ever crowned king the people had honoured him by shouting out “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” (1Sa 18:7).

And so we can say with confidence that God didn’t want his “house” to be associated with a man of war.

But I think the reason is also practical.

David had defeated many kings in battle, and the nations round about could easily resent David. A temple built by David could be seen as “David’s Temple”, and would easily become a target of revenge-driven enemies, and encourage them to battle against God’s people.

But also, Solomon wasn’t the eldest of David’s living sons, yet he was the one chosen by God, and to confirm that he was God’s choice, God gave him peace from all his enemies. He was respected as a wise king and the nations round about offered him tribute (2Chr 8:8).

Then to establish his unquestioned right to reign over Israel, God put it in his heart to build the temple David had desired to build, and so this temple was not only the place where God presenced Himself with His people, but it was the seal on the legitimate reign of David’s son, just as God had promised.

Sometimes we will have a desire to do something - it may be something for God, or it may be something else altogether - but either way, it may be well-intentioned and rightly-motivated, and yet it still may not be God’s plan for you.

God may have someone better qualified to fulfil that particular task.

The task itself may not fit in exactly with God’s specific plans for a particular area.

Or, as in the case of David and Solomon, The task may be better suited to move along the plans God has for someone else.

But whatever the reason, God’s plans are always right, and His refusal clears the way for something better.

Folks, whatever God’s reasons are for placing obstacles before us, be sure that there will always be an open path made clear in His time.

So in faith, we must patiently wait and trust that we will be made aware of God’s will when the time is right, and at that time, the obstacles will be removed, and we can move forward in the path God places before us.

As God was about to bless Rachel, He started by removing the obstacle to her blessing.

Rachel conceived - she acted in faith

After crying out to God, Rachel went in unto Jacob.

And God answered her cry by allowing her to conceive.

The removal of the obstacle had to be followed by an act of faith.

When we pray for God to move, we also need to move by faith.

So often God’s people pray for revival, and then those same people just keep living their own lives the way they always have.

Yet revival starts in the hearts of God’s people.

We often have some mystical notion of revival as something that’s utterly spontaneous and driven by the unknown will of God. But why do we think that?

Is it not because revival has generally been associated with masses of unsaved coming to salvation?

That can be a by-product of revival, but there is no guarantee that a revival will be accompanied by droves of people getting saved.

Revival is very simple - it’s when God’s people start acting like God’s people, living the way God always intended His people to live, having the heart, mind, and attitudes God has enabled us to have by giving us the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ.

So when we bemoan the fact that there’s no revival, really we’re criticising ourselves corporately for not being the kind of Christians God intended us to be.

Whatever we ask for in prayer by faith, if it truly is the will of God, we need to act on by faith.

The principle for this is in:

Matthew 21:21–22 KJV 1900

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

In v21, there’s no doubt because we know for sure that what we’re asking for is the will of God. Therefore prayers of faith are limited to what we can know as God’s will as He has revealed Himself to us in Scripture.

Some of our knowledge of God’s will is based on what He has clearly stated.

For example, the Lord taught His disciples to pray saying, “Give us day by day our daily bread”, and God has promised that whatever we need, He’ll provide. So we can pray by faith that as we depend upon the Lord by faith, He will provide all that we need.

But other aspects of His will will are known from what we understand of His character and attributes.

For example, we know that God loves sinners and wants them to be saved, because Scripture teaches us that “Christ died for the ungodly”, and “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. And so we can pray that God will give us opportunities to share the gospel and that when we do, people’s hearts will be open to receiving it.

And when we pray like that, God will answer.

Folks if we pray for opportunities to share the gospel, we have to actively seek for those opportunities and be ready for them.

There’s no point asking for opportunities to share Christ then live with unconfessed sin or a grudge against another believer, and expect God to give us genuine opportunities that He’s willing to bless. That would be asking God to use someone living a lie to teach the truth, and that’s against God’s character.

Folks, if we want God to bless, we have to make sure we are acting by faith and obedience to Him.

Finally...

God opened Rachel’s womb - He removed the obstacles

Rachel conceived - she acted in faith

Then...

Rachel bare a son - God gave fruit

After all this, finally, the blessing came, and Joseph was born, the son of Jacob’s old age.

It took time, and patience, and acts of obedience, and cries of fervent prayer to God, but eventually, God gave fruit.

John 15:4–5 KJV 1900

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

How can we know God’s blessing? By abiding in Christ.

How conscious are you and I each day that we are living in the presence of God?

I dare say that at best it’s a passing thought from time to time for many of us.

Yet to abide in Christ is to reside in Christ, to live in Christ, to recognise that in every moment our life is lived by the life of Christ flowing in and through us.

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

I wonder if we are living with that level of awareness.

I know we can get distracted with work responsibilities and family life and all the other things that go on in daily living, but do we at least have an constant awareness in the back of our minds that we are living in Christ’s presence?

If we can live like that, we won’t even have to look for fruit. It will be as natural for us to bear fruit as it is for an apple tree to bear apples.

And that’s the steps to knowing God’s blessing.

God remembers

God hears

God removes the obstacles

God’s people move by faith

God brings forth the fruit

How we need the blessings of God! But great is His faithfulness.

I trust that, with the Holy Spirit’s help and by God’s grace, we really will be a blessed people by God.