Let’s Make A Deal

Students getting ready for the big test do it. People who get a diagnosis of disease do it.  Men who have slipped and fallen into some sinful situation do it. Addicts do it. Kids who broke the cookie jar do it. What am I talking about?  Praying something like this:  "God if You will get me out of this mess, I promise I'll give You ..."   

When life backs us into a corner, our reaction is predictable.  No matter who we are, where we are from, how educated we are – and yes, no matter how deep and  intimate our walk with God – we will work through stages:  denial, anger, bargaining, depression-  on our way to acceptance.   Bargaining is right there in the middle.  

 As natural as it is to try to make a deal, such an approach to God reveals our humanity and has nothing to do with the reality of Who HE is!   The Lord never desires that we bribe Him.  He is our Father who invites us to ask for what we need. What makes us think we can make a debtor of God anyway? Paul asks, "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" (Romans 11:35, NIV)

In the book of Judges, a book of history from the time of the birth of ancient Israel, comes this tragic story. It should be a lesson to each one of us about attempting to make a deal with God.  "At that time the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he went throughout the land of Gilead and Manasseh, including Mizpah in Gilead, and from there he led an army against the Ammonites. And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. He said, "If you give me victory over the Ammonites, I will give to the Lord whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering."

So Jephthah led his army against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave him victory. ... (so far, so good, right?  He prayed and promised God a sacrifice in exchange for victory.)   Should he have done this? Read on.

When Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, his daughter came out to meet him, playing on a tambourine and dancing for joy. She was his one and only child; he had no other sons or daughters. When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish.

"Oh, my daughter!" he cried out. "You have completely destroyed me! You’ve brought disaster on me! For I have made a vow to the Lord, and I cannot take it back."
And she said, "Father, if you have made a vow to the Lord, you must do to me what you have vowed, for the Lord has given you a great victory over your enemies, the Ammonites. But first let me do this one thing: Let me go up and roam in the hills and weep with my friends for two months, because I will die a virgin." ... She and her friends went into the hills and wept because she would never have children. When she returned home, her father kept the vow he had made, and she died a virgin." (Judges 11:26-40, NLT)

Since human sacrifice was forbidden, it is likely that Jephthah did not actually kill his daughter, but rather put her in seclusion for the remainder of her life!  In that time, a woman who did not marry and bear children had no significance, no purpose in life.  So, even if she did not die at Jephthah’s hand, and I do not believe she did,  his ‘deal’ with God still produced a terrible fate for a beautiful young woman.

Are you in a tough spot this Monday morning? 
Is life looking desperate right now?  Don’t be like Jephthath! 

The disciples, in the school of prayer, were taught this:  "Our Father, ... give us today our daily bread.... forgive us... lead us."   Jesus wanted them, and us, to know that like a wonderful Father – the Lord always has what we need, though not all we want. He explains that human fathers, though marred by sin and selfishness, desire to provide for their children.  He says, “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”

 The Message  Luke  11:10-13

Remember, He acts in accordance with His will and purposes.  Moving to ‘acceptance,’ living through tough times, desperate situations, or terrible pain requires great faith, which – by the way – He will give if we ask for it!  God sometimes says "No," to our request, not because we have not earned a "Yes," but because His plans are different from ours.
So, are you tempted to play “Let’s Make A Deal” with God?

Stop!  Don't insult His grace! Vows made in desperation may have terrible consequences. Promises made to anyone, including God, are to be kept. Better not to make hasty vows than to live with regret. Religion leads us to try to bargain with God. Understanding His grace leads us to love Him and to receive full provision, for every need, from His hand.

Here's a better way to understand your relationship with Him. Read this word from the Word.
" So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:14-16, NLT)

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.
By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.
And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him." (Hebrews 10:19-22, NLT)

He desires to provide for you because He loves you. His grace will give you what you could NEVER purchase from Him at any price. So, come with confidence and ask with the heart of a beloved child. Then, trust Him.

___________

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

You call me out upon the waters,

The great unknown where feet may fail.

And there I find You in the mystery,

In oceans deep my faith will stand.

And I will call upon Your name!

And keep my eyes above the waves,

When oceans rise,

My soul will rest in Your embrace,

For I am Yours and You are mine!

Your grace abounds in deepest waters,

Your sov'reign hand will be my guide.

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me,

You've never failed and You won't start now!

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders,

Let me walk upon the waters,

Wherever You would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,

And my faith will be made stronger,

In the presence of my Saviour.

I will call upon Your name,

Keep my eyes above the waves.

My soul will rest in Your embrace,

I am Yours and You are mine!

Joel Houston | Matt Crocker | Salomon Ligthelm

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