Asking of Faith

When it's time to make lists for Christmas or birthdays my children have plenty of things to write down. They usually have a few things that seem impossible to receive, but they are hopeful enough to write them down. Those are the best gifts to get my children because they weren't expecting to get them. It reminds me of the scripture that says, "You have not because you ask not."

The Israelites experienced a moment where they also had to ask for something- something that seemed impossible to receive. They were told by Moses they were to ask for jewels of gold and silver from the very people they were in bondage to- the Egyptians.

The story is God was getting ready to bring them out of Egypt and had Moses tell the people they were to borrow jewels of silver and gold from these people. God also told Moses one more plague would have to come into the city before they would be able to leave. The plague was that the Israelites were to put blood on their two side posts and on the upper door posts before midnight so when the Lord would see it, He would pass their house by. If there wasn't blood showing, the firstborn of that household would die. They did what they were told to do, and their first-born children were saved. However, many children died that night belonging to the Egyptians, and the Bible says there was a great cry in the land because of what had happened. Pharaoh's firstborn child was among the dead and thus Pharaoh ordered all the Israelites to leave immediately. The Egyptians were also adamant the Israelites leave immediately because they were afraid, they would also die, so they were rushing them to hurry and get out. During all this chaos though the Israelites didn't forget to do what Moses had told them by asking for the jewels and raiment from the Egyptians. The Bible says the Lord gave them favor in the sight of the Egyptians so that they gave them all they asked for. The Bible says they (the Israelites) plundered the Egyptians and after receiving all that they could, they took their things and left.

Now it is one thing to ask something from someone you know and love, but to ask something from someone who is your enemy is something different. To even ask at the time they did was incredible. It's not like it was a calm time for everyone- it was a fearful, crazy, and sad time. People had just lost their children and were afraid that they also were going to die. Then having the Israelites asking for their possessions and they are obliging them can only happen because of God. It took an enormous amount of faith and obedience to do, and even more to do it at such a crazy time. The Israelites ended up walking out of the city that night having the provision they needed, and it came from an unexpected source- but they had to ask for it just like God had told them. They had to take a leap of faith and ask for these things from the Egyptians, but by doing this it ensured their provision- even more than they thought would be given to them I'm sure. 

The Israelites knew in advance what God was asking them to do and what was going to happen. What do you think they thought about all of it? Do you think they thought “There’s no way the Egyptians are going to give us anything." They could have been afraid to ask in fear, because of what might happen to them for asking. Think about how you would feel if your child had just died and someone came to you asking for your valuables- especially someone you didn't like?

How many times has God in advance told us something we are going to have to do, and when the time came to do it we didn’t because of the “Chaos" surrounding us, or because of the fear and disbelief? Probably more than we would be willing to admit. God never seems to do things quietly and unnoticed. He does things that seem impossible, unlikely, and sometimes at the worst time possible- at least in our eyes. However, because He does things like that, He gets all the glory and that's what He is after.

Be prepared that God will ask you to do something at a “Strange time” and something sounding impossible- so impossible that it seems like it won’t happen. Don’t sit around and analyze it, because if you do you probably won’t do it when it comes time too. Remember when you do what God is asking you to do, it just could be that open door you need and perhaps even your provision for tomorrow in whatever “Means” that is. All you need to do is have faith and obedience like the Israelites did, taking that leap of faith doing what God is asking you to do. Remember the Israelites were asked to do something that seemed crazy and impossible and yet they needed to do it because it was for them- for their future. God will never ask you to do something if He isn’t planning on making it all work out so take that leap of faith- ready to do whatever He asks at whatever time He asks!!      

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns