TAKE ACTION
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Genesis 22:12 (NIV)
Our faith has no impact unless it is accompanied by action. Our action is the result of our faith and faith without action is dead. We have a responsibility to build up our faith by hearing the word. But we must move from hearing to doing. When God tested Abraham to offer up his only son, Isaac, Abraham had to put faith into action. On the way to the mountain where Isaac was to be sacrificed, Abraham said “God is able to raise Isaac from the dead”. But those were just words expressing his faith. Abraham became a friend of God when he actually lifted up a knife to kill his son, taking action because of what he believed God would do.
The Angel of the Lord asked him to stop and said “Now I know that you fear God”. What the Angel was saying was now that your action has matched up with your faith, I know you trust me fully. We can speak about our faith verbally, but are we ready to take steps that show what we believe?
Same way, the Israelites had to take action in possessing the Promised Land. God had declared that the land was theirs, but they needed to take action by going into the land to occupy it. God’s plan was to provide supernatural help as they took action. God desires many things for us as well, but the possession of His desire for our lives will require action from us. It may be stepping out concerning a new job, upgrading our resume as we prepare for an interview, taking the step to start a new relationship, stepping out in faith and praying for the sick. It may also mean taking radical steps to expand a new business, or stepping into a new role or assignment. There is always action we have to take. We cannot talk love, we need to show love by our actions.
When the twelve spies went to spy out the land, God’s intention was to give them an insight into how good the land was. They were to do an inventory and devise strategies of action as to possessing their inheritance. The land had been given to them, action was needed to possess it. Ten of the spies came back and said ‘No’ when God already said ‘Yes’. Are there some areas in your life where God has said ‘Yes’, but require some action on our part? Are you one of those always postponing things? Do you agonize endlessly about taking practical steps to actualize your dreams? Like Israel are you fearful about taking on a new assignment? Fear can cause us to miss the very best God has for us. It happened to the Israelites and it can happen to us. When we come to the place where we know what God wants for us, and we are required to take action, then we must do whatever is necessary to take that bold step.
Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, believed God and their plan for decisive action was what pleased God. They said, “We can take on the giants. Let’s go up at once”. This is the time to flood your mind with thoughts of victory and success, expansion and greatness and find ways to put wings to your thoughts and words. A time to put action to what you believe God will do. Remember David and Goliath and how David ran towards Goliath. Remember also the woman with the issue of blood. She said, “If only I can touch the hem of His garment, I would be made whole”. But she went beyond her words, reached out and touched Jesus and received a massive healing. Step out today and take action. God is waiting for you.
PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your word today. Thank You for how You’re leading me. Thank You for the encouragement I am receiving today to step out of my comfort zone, and to take whatever action is required to actualize my goals. Thank You that You have gone ahead of me and will back up my every action with supernatural help.
FURTHER STUDY
Matthew 9:20-22 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9%3A20-22&version=NKJV
Genesis 22:1-14 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+22%3A1-14&version=NKJV
Numbers 13:17-33 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+13%3A17-33&version=NKJV
SONG
Chinedum
Pastor Tony Rapu