ODJ: if . . . then

June 8, 2013 

READ: Genesis 28:10-22 

If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the Lord will certainly bemy God (vv.20-21).

With our house on the market, my husband and I regularly spend time looking at online real-estate sites. Planting a church 35 miles away, we eagerly anticipate the day when we will be able to live in the community where we will be ministering. As we wait, we could easily fall prey to the temptation of“if . . . then”. If You promise us success, we will go; if You promise us a great house, we will move. But a commitment to “if . . . then” does not set a strong foundation for weathering seasons of uncertainty.

Running from his own deception (Genesis 27:5-34), Jacob was desperate to know that his future would still be intact. Like Jacob, we know in principle that God can be trusted to fulfil His promises and provide for our needs. But, like Jacob, we often live out an “if . . . then” existence in an attempt to make life safer and more predictable (28:20-22). At Bethel, he said, “If Godwill . . .” and “if He will provide”.

We’ve all prayed something like this: “God, if you move on my behalf and fulfil my request, then I will give You more of me.” But when we make these types of promises, we are in some way questioning God’s plans. As if signing a contract with another person, we leave ourselves an exit clause. God, however, isn’t into contractual agreements. He’s the God of covenant relationship (v.15), one that is exemplified by sacrificial love (John 3:16).

Accustomed to manipulating so that he might get ahead, Jacob didn’t yet understand that God wasn’t going to let the promise of a great nation (Genesis 15:5-7) rest on an “if . . . then” agreement. God wanted Jacob’s love. So He wrestled with Jacob, not to defeat him, but that Jacob might become God’s glory revealed (32:24-32).—Regina Franklin

› Luke 1:57-80

MORE
Read 1 Samuel 1:10-28. Hannah makes what at first glance appears to be an “if . . . then” promise. How can we see a demonstrationof total surrender inher story? 
NEXT
What “if . . . then” agreements have you brought before God? What would it look like to surrender totally to Him in covenant trust? 
1 reply
  1. Benedict
    Benedict says:

    I think today’s passage has been a helpful reminder to me. I am currently sitting for my exams and am tempted to say this to God. But this has been an encouragement that I learn to trust God and also do my best. And whether the results come out good or bad, I’ll learn to say that I will still praise God and follow Him. thank you for this article. ^^

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