Give me the boy.

Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse and finally stopped breathing. She said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?" "Give me your son Elijah replied.".......Then he cried out onto the Lord......."Oh Lord, let this boy's life return to him!" The Lord heard Elijah's cry and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived. 1st Kings 17:17-24

Then God said, "Take your son, your ONLY son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." ........."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 22:2,12

(I suggest reading the verses in between in both passages)

Father, I thank you for your word. It admonishes as much as it encourages. A lamp for my feet, a light for my path directing and guiding me. Thank you Jesus.

I had to make an important decision recently and I was so confused. I am aware that the Word says that the Lord is not the author of confusion so I had to get on my knees and really ask Him to speak to me because there were just too many voices speaking in my heart. I was led to the first scripture above and although I didn't really get it then, God used it to speak to my heart and make things clear again. I thank God that I have a God who speaks to those who put themselves in a position to listen.

The widow of Zarepath has a chance encounter with Elijah that changed her life forever. She chose to do something 'crazy' and God rewarded her faith by ensuring that she had supernatural provision in the time of famine. That would have been a great enough testimony to just put a 'The End' to her story. Obey God and He provides for you. Simple, right? But then I serve a God who is very interesting. I'm excited about God these days because there's always something new to discover, some secret thing to be revealed.

So the prophet lives in her house and then her child gets sick and not just sick, he progressively gets worse until he dies. Truth be told, the presence of God in your life doesn't mean that there will be no trouble. In fact, in case we ever wanted to forget, Jesus reminded us emphatically that in this world we would have tribulations and trials but he also encourages us to be of good cheer because we have peace in Him as He has overcome the world. I'm wondering God, why allow the situation get to that point, also woman why not call the prophet when the boy's temperature was a little higher than normal. So many questions? Why would Jesus spit and use mud to heal a blind man and simply command the eyes of another to be opened? Why would Jesus ask the men at Lazarus tomb to roll away the stone and then tell a dead man to come out on his own?Why would God deliver Peter from prison and Herod's grasp only to allow him to be crucified upside down later on in life? Why did God deliver Shedrach and co. from the fiery furnace and not Stephen from the mob that made him the first martyr for Christ? So many questions but Jesus is the answer. We serve a God of purpose who sees all and knows all. He is a Sovereign God and makes all things work together for His plan.

Back to the widow, her son is dead and she brings him to the prophet. The prophet asks for the boy and takes him from her arms. What is the boy in your life today? She was at a point where she had run out of options, you can't give food to a dead body to resuscitate it, you can't love it better or provide medicine or band aids. At this point, we must relinquish it/him/her to the Master. I ask again what or who is the boy in your life? Can you entrust it into the hands of the Master? Or are you holding on to something dead and allowing it to ebb your joy, peace and virtue?

Elijah took the boy and took him to the upper room, the place where He met with God. This meant for a period she was physically separated from her son. We must learn to trust God that even when we can't see the miracle, we know that God is working on our behalf. I'm not sure she knew whether she would get her son back alive or not but I know she knew he was safest in the arms of the prophet. Praise God, she got her boy back alive but I wonder what would have happened if she had said no to Elijah when he asked her to give him the boy? I pray never to hold on tightly to something that is dead, being so blinded by the situation that I refuse to see the open arms of God asking me to entrust it with him.

Another important point, when her son died she went to the prophet. Not to the 'experts' but to the prophet, not to her relatives but to the prophet. I'm not saying don't seek advice from experts and relatives but let God always have the final say of whatever situation you are going through. Make room in your counselling to seek God's counsel and let that be what stands in your life. Help me Holy Spirit.
The second scripture came as well and I struggled to understand how the two were linked because in this situation the boy was not dead but God said the principle of trust and obedience link the two, for when Abraham took Isaac on that journey he didn't know if he would come down that mountain alone or with his son. He had to give him the boy as well. There should be nothing ever that we cannot place on the altar when God asks us to. God is not a wicked God, when we truly believe He is a good God, we find it easier to obey Him.

So I gave Him the boy and I cried as I did but He has given me so much peace about the situation and surrounded me with love that leaves me speechless sometimes that I can't help but continue to give praise to my God. I encourage you to do the same. Sometimes the best decisions in life are not always the easiest.

Remain blessed and highly favoured

Zoe Believer

N.B I'm thinking of writing an 'Ask Zoe' post soon so if there is something you want to know about Zoe Believer or my thoughts on specific issues, email amarasviewonstuff@yahoo.com or leave a comment and I'll try and collate questions and give answers to the best of my ability so help me God.

Trust me

u came to see me the other day
as you always do
i asked how you were doing
and you said fine
but there was pain in your eyes
and I couldn't help but notice
as you turned to leave
that you carried a bag so heavy
it slowed your step

why won't you trust me?
when I say that I love you
that I am always here
that I will never leave
that I have got your back
that I will keep my word
that I will always protect and fight for you
that this too shall pass
that the end of a matter is always greater than the beginning

so please come back
talk to me
give me your baggage
i can handle it
talk to me
it's ok to cry
i am listening
but know this
that I am working
and you will come through this
winning, victorious, shining and triumphant

TRUST in Him at all times, O people, POUR out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge Psalm 63:9 (NIV) capitals mine