Possessing Gates

"By Myself I have sworn, this is the Lord's declaration: "Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son, I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. A your offspring will possess the gates of their enemies. And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed My command." Genesis 22:16-18

Much of the above blessing is a confirmation of the previous blessings God spoke to Abraham with one, exciting exception. Previously in Chapter 12, when God called Abram, as he was called then, he was told that should he choose to accept the mission and follow The Lord then he would be blessed, his name would be great, those who cursed him would be cursed, those who blessed him would be blessed and all the people of the earth would be blessed through him.

However, he is now told that his offspring would possess the gates of their enemies. This is one promise and one blessing I purposely will accept. This is blessing indeed. This allows me to step out boldly and not cringe in fear. This promise calls out to he warrior in me, how about you?

While in Brisbane last week I went with two friends, after they had accompanied me to church, to see the movie: Jack Ryan. This was a movie about a young man who had chosen to support his country in Afganistan, leaving uni to join the army. He was critically injured and had a period of about 8-9 months rehabilitation so he could walk again. While in rehab he was sought out by the CIA and then went on to work for them as an analyst, tracking doggy financial deals. He ends up in Russia on a mission he didn't plan and was forced to find his strength, strength his boss knew he had. The initial stress moulded this young man into a mighty warrior.

We, God's people, will be lead into paths of His choosing, because He knows what we are capable of. He sees the warrior within. While our focus, often, is comfort, comfort is not where warriors develop. The fire, the stress, the onslaught is where warriors are born. We are called to inhabit the gates of our enemies. They will not just roll over and accept our authority, we must establish it in faith. Faith is a fight! No complaining, no self-pity, no slackness! Get up, strengthen those limbs that hang down and fight! Amen!

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