Our goal is to quickly look at a few individuals who received a word before relocating. In an attempt to emphasize this aspect in relocation we will like to bring to our attention that it is not a new approach rather an age old practice even in the Kingdom.
The Case of Abraham
Abraham had a very long journey ahead of him. I bet if he knew the twists and turns of his life long journey, he might have reconsidered. Nevertheless, we are grateful that despite the challenges, he set the pace for us. After the death of his Father at Haran, the Lord appears to Abram and gives Abram a promise which sets the pace of his relocation.
Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV)
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you Abram sets out on this journey and the only thing he could hold on to as he journeyed, were the words He received from the Lord. We will later see that the promises he received sustained him until the end.
The Case of Jacob/Israel
Genesis 28:10-22 (NIV) gives us a detailed account of Jacob’s encounter with the Lord when he escaped Canaan for Haran. Although he did not specifically ask for a word prior to leaving his parents because of the circumstances that surrounded his escape, as a descendant of Abraham, he was a beneficiary of the promise made to Abraham, his grandfather. After Jacob wakes up from this encounter, he says this in verse 20-22.
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”
Jacob’s relocation was not perfect to say the least, yet one thing still stands out, he did not arrive his destination without a promise to sustain him. Another account is recorded of Jacob, when he decided to relocate to Egypt at the request of his son Joseph. We see in this account that the Lord spoke to him saying
Genesis 46:1-4 (NIV)
So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”
The Case of Rebekah
Rebekah was the wife of Isaac. Abraham’s servant found her in Haran where Abram’s family lived and she agreed to follow him in order to become Isaac’s wife. Prior to her leaving her city, Laban and Bethuel released a blessing.
Genesis 24:60 (NIV)
So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies.”
If you know the story well, you will agree with me that indeed she increased to thousands upon thousands and her offspring did possess the cities of their enemies. There are many examples of people we can take a look at who received a word in the form of a promise, a blessing, and more. God either spoke to them directly or through people. However, they did not make a move without guidance.
Obedience Is The Common Denominator
As we look at the examples we see that the common denominator is obedience. Obedience in the Kingdom is key. We need to trust that the Father has our best interest at heart and when He leads, we obey and follow. Disobedience Ruins Destiny.
Exposing these truths are necessary because it helps us function in the kingdom from a place of understanding. The question is, what if I have moved already without a word, without a promise or some form of reassurance from the Father concerning my new location? You are not alone, many people find themselves in such situations. There is provision for you. Amen. Even as you purposefully ask the Father to make the most out of your stay where you are, understand that, moving forward, you will do differently. There is an extended list of people who found themselves in locations where they would not have otherwise chosen while there were others who did chose for themselves to move without consulting the Father. In the previous teaching, we made reference to Terar, Elimelech and Lot as individuals who changed location without consulting the Father and the results were terrible.
Joseph is a great example of someone who changed location- from Canaan to Egypt against his will. Think of Daniel and his 3 friends who were taken as captives in Babylon. Yet, in all of these, God the Father worked out everything for their good.
Whatever your situation is, this is what I will like for you to take out of these message.
-When it comes to the location of your home, the kingdom approach requires that the Godhead be involved in the decision. Receive a word from the Father and He will communicate to you in the best way you understand.
-Ignorance may have caused you to settle in a location without consulting the Father. Do not despair, now you know the truth. Live by the truth moving on. Go back to the Father and ask Him to help you make the most of where you are currently located. This is applicable both to a person who willfully relocated or one who was forcefully relocated. There is divine providence for both situations.
- Always remember that there are consequences to disobedience. It will be detrimental to you and your generation, to know the truth, yet willfully act contrary to the truth. Amen.
Family, it’s about advancing the Kingdom of God even in our choice of choosing a location for our dwelling. Remember, it’s all about relationships. Living conscious of the involvement of the Godhead in all that you do. Be intentional about receiving a word before moving to another location. Not your will but His will for you. Right decisions equal right choices. Right choices equal right outcomes. Nation builders, kingdom giants, generational pacesetters, role models, and pioneers will be the outcome from your generation. Remember, the model home is not a perfect home; it is an excellent home!
