God IS Able to do MORE…
I once began working on this project with someone. Things were flowing pretty well and growing at a fast rate. It seemed like it was God. The only problem was, I was never settled in my heart. The more we progressed forward, the More I felt the tug of God.
One day, while praying, I was led to this chapter in 2 Chronicles 25, where Amaziah was heading to battle. He had hired men out of Israel to go along with him. This seemed like a good idea, right?
Well, it wasn’t because shortly after he hired them, the word of God came to him saying,
“But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the Lord is not with Israel, with all these Ephraimites. But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down.” And Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.” Then Amaziah discharged the army that had come to him from Ephraim to go home again. And they became very angry with Judah and returned home in fierce anger. But Amaziah took courage and led out his people and went to the Valley of Salt and struck down 10,000 men of Seir.” 2 Chronicles 25:7-11 ESV
What stood out to me was, do not let the army (individual I was working with) go with you; the Lord is not with Israel (Individual); The Lord is able to give you much more than this.
It’s like a light bulb went off in my heart. Wow, so this is why I didn’t have the peace of God while moving forward. God was not in it.
You see, sometimes we can move forward in a thing because we feel like everything is flowing, the opportunity is right, and stuff seems to be coming together. But every “good” thing isn’t a “God” thing. This is why we can’t look at what looks like the success of someone else business venture or life choice and stamp it as God’s blessing. The devil gives gifts as well. He can provide you with something seemingly good just to entangle your life in deception—anything to keep you from being in the will of God.
We must be careful as we navigate life and build things with people. Everyone who claims the name of God isn’t with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear; you will know them by their fruit.
I encourage you to be sure you are walking in step with God in everything that you do. It does not matter how good things seem; if it isn’t from God, you will end up hurt in the end. If God is speaking to you in this season with the words, don’t go or separate yourself from something, don’t count the time, money, or plans you already invested. You have to trust God “no” just as much as you would His “yes.”
As for me, I understand even more today why God stopped me from moving forward. We were unequally yoked (meaning on two different paths from the beginning). The red flags had been there all along; I just chose to look past them because I felt like it was a good opportunity for me. In retrospect, I am grateful God intervened and stirred my soul so that I can dig deeper for the cause of that stirring. Has the Lord been speaking to you by allowing you to feel uneasy about a new venture? I encourage you to listen.
The Lord is able to give you much more than this, whatever your this is. God has a perfect will for your life, and He wants nothing more than for you to follow it. You will know when it’s God’s thing because you will have the peace that surpasses all understanding.
B encouraged,
Bettye Nicole
A little more reading :),
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
Matthew 7:15-20 ESV
