We live in insecure times, and many voices compel people into action to be sure they don’t miss out on anything. The truth is that when someone takes matters into his/her own hands and tries to make something happen, there is a greater chance of missing out on what the Lord wants to do in their lives.
Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.”
And he answered him, “Here I am.”
Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”
Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it. So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, ‘Bring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.’ Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves. Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death.” Genesis 27:1-10
Jacob was Rebecca’s favorite son, and she wanted him to have the blessing of the older brother. The truth is that God had already spoken to her and had told her that the older would serve the younger (See Genesis 25:23). It was God’s plan all along to see that through. However, Rebecca was insecure about Jacob’s future, so she decided to intervene to secure the father’s blessings for her favorite son. In turn, Jacob was also insecure about God’s plan for his life. As a result, he went along with his mother in deceiving his father.
Insecurity makes people to take matters in their own hands and try to make something happen. Sometimes, it is something that they would have had if they were just patient with God’s process. At other times, it is not something that they should have at all, but some choose to rebel against God’s plan and precepts.
Rebecca deceived her husband by choosing Jacob over Esau. She decided that God’s promise was not enough on its own merit and that time was running out, so she moved into action. Her insecurity about God’s plan for her children was costly. Her actions caused strife in her family and sibling rivalry. Furthermore, her favorite son had to flee for years and live far away from his parents.
Have you felt in the past that your insecurities caused you to take matters into your own hands and try to make something happen? What were the consequences of those actions? Did things turn out well? Or did it push back God’s plan further in time because of the ungodly intervention?
Insecurity has a high cost associated with it. It also involves other people that should not have been part of the ungodly scheme. The antidote to insecurity is to seek God and His plans for our lives. When the Lord gives us insight and direction, then we need to trust Him and His timing.
Sometimes it is hard to know whether the Lord wants us to take an action or not. Those of us who are action-oriented, tend to lean on moving into action and those who are laid-back, tend to not take any action. I don’t believe there is a formula to know when to take action or to wait. However, we should evaluate our motives and determine if we are compelled by insecurity. Also we should find out if we have any sense of competition or the need to prove something. In addition, seeking Godly counsel who are impartial about the situation is very helpful. The Lord is pleased to see our desire to do right and our due diligence to seek His ways.