In Isaac's blessing to Jacob in Genesis 28:4, Isaac reminded his son of the blessing and the land he would inherit as a descendant of Abraham. Isaac told Jacob that he was already living in his inherited land - as an alien.
We know that there is a big difference between being an alien and being a resident or owner. Residents or owners are afforded privileges and perks that aliens cannot use. Residents or owners belong and cannot be displaced, while aliens are only allowed temporary access.
As Christians, we are the descendants mentioned in the verse. We have that same blessing. However, like Jacob, many of us are living as aliens in the land that belongs to us. How different would things be if we only realized that we are not alien tenants but actually owners of the blessing?
But do we act as owners, or have we grown accustomed to the alien mindset? What changes should we put into place to move into the owner mindset? Let's look at three changes that will help us claim our blessing.
Separate ourselves
Living as aliens, many of us have relaxed and conformed to our environment. While we still know right from wrong, we have allowed some "little" sins to take place in our lives.
But sin is sin, and there is no "little" sin that God approves. God deals harshly with sin. We can see one example in Number 16:20-35. God separated Moses and Aaron's camps from the tents of the wicked. God then destroyed the sinners in His contempt.
We have to take sin seriously. Sin can block our blessings. We have to be mindful of the company we keep so that we do not find ourselves slowly conforming to sinful ways. Romans 12:2 tells us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world" (NIV)
Trust God
We know from our reading that the blessing and the land are gifts from God. We belong to a generous Creator, yet we continue to operate from a lack of trust.
Since God is our Creator, He knows how to find every blessing that He has in store for us. But we choose to wander aimlessly in search for the blessings. Why not seek the help of the One who holds the map?
In our humanness, we think we are in control. But that cannot be further from the truth. In every financial situation, we should make sure that our plan of action lines up with God's Will.
Be obedient
Are we willing to move out of the driver's seat so that God can direct our paths? After we seek God's help, we actually need to follow it.
Sometimes, God's Will isn't exactly what we had in mind. That shouldn't change our response. The Bible shows us what happens when we disobey. Remember the Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years. Remember that Jonah's disobedience landed him in the belly of a whale. We can do things our way, but it only makes it more difficult.
Sometimes, we think we want something. It can have really great appeal. But we really don't know if the blessing that the Lord has for us is better. Given His immense love for us, despite all of our flaws, it would be hard to believe that it's not better. But the only way that we can truly find out is by separating ourselves, trusting Him, and being obedient to His Will.
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