#161: Conflict of Interest: Let Go and Let God

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And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. Luke 22:43

It is that time of the year where we collectively reflect over the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Our anchor text for today's study is timed just before the arrest and trials of Jesus. May God grant us insight as we glean at His feet together. Amen.

Can two work together except they agree? Amos 3:3

In Jesus' agony in the garden of Gethsemane, we see something that we can all relate with. There always comes that point in a believer's walk with God that there is a conflict of interest. God would be leading you in one direction, but you would rather prefer some other method or direction. Jonah once went on this path, and when he was in the belly of the fish, this is what he had to say

Those who regard and follow worthless idols turn away from their living source of mercy and loving-kindness. Jonah 2:8

it was in the light of this fundamental truth that even though Jesus would have preferred the cup to pass over Him, He surrendered to God's will. In the midst of the conflict of interest, He did let go, and God took over. It is important to note that it was at the point of surrendering to God's will that the angels came and ministered grace to Him. Grace that was sufficient to bear the cross that laid before Him.

God is not going to act, grace will not be administered till your obedience is complete; till you are fully surrendered to God's will; till the conflict of interest has been resolved, and you embrace the path of mercy and loving-kindness. We could spend a whole lot of time at the junction of this resolve on the conflict of interest. But God is patient. He is waiting patiently for you to agree and yield to His yoke. What will it be today? Will you let go and let God?

Abraham is another bible example that had a lot of difficult conflicting decisions to make: leaving his father's house, separating from Lot, letting go of Ishmael and sacrificing Isaac; but in all these, we see that at every point that he aligned with God, every time he agreed with God, grace commensurate for the journey ahead was given. Sometimes it looked like his decision would lead to a loss, but it was the path to the blessing that God had promised him earlier.

Thought: There is abundant grace for the cross. Choose the path of grace; let go and let God.

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