Instructions Included

                How many times has God spoken to you about something that He wants you to do?  I am talking about those things that make you think to yourself “He could have picked anyone, but He chose me…WHY!?!”.  We’ve all been there at one time or another.  Along with those lovely assignments you will also receive specific instructions on things that need to be done to ensure that idea or promise comes to fruition.  This can be the most rewarding yet awkward place in a person’s life.  On one hand you feel so privileged to be trusted to carry out the assignment that God has given you.  On the other hand you are terrified that you just might mess this up (or was that just my thinking…LOL)  

                There is a woman in the bible named…well actually her name is never mentioned.  She is only referred to by her affiliation with her husband, Manoah.   **PAUSE** As with any promise, the name of the person carrying the promise is not and should not EVER be the focal point.  IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR NAME! The focus is on the promise.  **PLAY**  Now Manoah’s wife was unable to become pregnant.  She wasn’t even able to hold on to the hope that she had become pregnant and was not able to carry the baby to term.  No, she could not become pregnant at all!  Have you ever been around a group of people and it feels like the Lord is talking directly to them about their purpose (the thing he has placed in them to birth out), and you can’t hear a mumble from the Lord let along a promise from him.  How discouraging is that!?!  I have even asked before “when will it be my turn.”  Selfish, I know, but oh so true.  Sadly to add insult to injury Manoah’s wife appears to have no identity without her husband.  (See Judges 13 as a reference)  Amazingly there is a lesson in this as well!  Our identity should be in line with that of God, so that when someone see’s the promise fulfilled they should only see God and His marvelous craftsmanship through you.   

                Well one fine day Monoah’s wife was granted a visit from an angel of the Lord.  This angel came to her and let her know that despite her past experience, she would become pregnant with a child.  Immediately following this proclamation were specific instructions on what exactly she was suppose to stay away from and what she needed to do after the child’s birth.  Now what I find interesting is that he strongly encourages her to follow the instructions, and later in the chapter reiterates those instructions to Monoah.  He simple tells Monoah “Be sure your wife follows the instructions I gave her. She must not eat grapes or raisins, drink wine or any other alcoholic drink, or eat any forbidden food.” (Judges 13:13 NLT)  In the end it is her responsibility to follow these specific instructions to receive what God promised her.  

Now here is where it usually gets tricky for us.  God promised us a thing, and we feel as if He owes it to us no matter what.  (I’m not talking about you though because you would NEVER feel this way :) )  We think that if He said it, then it’s ours no matter what!  We neglect to understand that the instructions we receive are very important pieces to the puzzle.  If they are not followed to a tee the condition of the promise can be altered or null and void all together.  The instructions are not meant to control you, but to give the promise the needed conditions to develop properly and within the time frame that has been set.  Doctors recommend that women do not drink during a pregnancy because alcohol has the ability to delay/stunt a fetus’ growth.  That fetus only has 9 months to develop in the protection of its mother’s uterus.  Any foreign chemical could prevent the fetus from reaching its full potential.  

Not only would she become pregnant, but the angel promised that she would give birth!  He is giving you a guarantee.  All she has to do is trust Him, believe that which was spoken to her, follow the few instructions that she was given, and wait.  She had already waited for YEARS, what was another 9 months? So is that promise that you waited on, or still may be waiting on, worth the time and care needed to make sure it comes to term at its full potential?  Or are you so impatient after this long wait that you would forsake the instructions from the One who created the promise and placed it in you?  There is no doubt about it, the promise is yours!  However, there are instructions included.  You are not forced to follow them, but the Manufacturer suggests that you do so to reap the full intent from the promise.  He’s handed you a manual (your bible).  It gives you every possible instruction on EVERY life situation, conflict, and problem.  The question is will you stop long enough to seek the answer from the manual and the Manufacturer.  If you choose to take the time needed I can guarantee that the time you invest will be the best time you have EVER spent. In the end God chose you to carry this promise because He knew you could!  Don’t think for one moment that He made a mistake!  He’s there for you at every turn during your pregnancy and the birthing process.  Just lean on Him and know He made you for this very moment. 

Love & Blessings!

Divine