pramsay posted on November 13, 2007 03:32
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SHOULD YOU LET GO?
It almost seems cruel. The monkey loves that particular nut – he’d do anything to be able to pop it in his mouth. The crafty person drops the appealing nut into the long neck bottle. The monkey shoves his arm in; opens up his hand and clutches the nut but finds he can’t pull his arm back out. His fist is too big. Either he must let the nut go - stop clinging to it or he is trapped and will no longer enjoy freedom. The monkey-hunter’s snare was successful.
Are you clinging to something and the reality is – you’re trapped? Caught and can’t get out of a situation? The nut was appealing and you went for it; you wrapped your fingers around it or your heart around it and now you can’t get back on track for the Lord.
Joshua, the leader in the Old Testament who took Israel into the promised land of Canaan was giving his ‘swan song.’ He was saying goodbye to the people he loved and led. Godly words of counsel from an old man of God who had weathered the stormy trials journeying from Egypt to Canaan. Despite their frequent lapses in the wilderness, the nation under Joshua was now in the land of Canaan. They were clinging to the Lord and blessings were flowing their way. Now Joshua summons the leaders of the tribes to hear his final words.
“…Be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book…turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left
(8)… you shall CLING to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day.
(9) For the LORD has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day.
(10) One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the LORD your God who fights for you, just as he promised you.
(11) Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God.
(12) For if you turn back and CLING to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you,
(13) know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you,
but they shall be a snare and a trap for you…”
Joshua 23:6-13
Should you let go is the question. It depends what it is you have your heart and hands wrapped around. If you’re clinging to an appealing nut and you are trapped by the enemy, then you should let it go before your situation deteriorates further. However, if you have both your hands solidly on Christ and that which is good – then don’t let go. Never!
Often we think we can cling to the Lord with one hand and cling to the habit we cherish or the world we love with the other. That’s a recipe for going nowhere fast spiritually. It results in us being stymied and stunted for the Lord. Jesus said: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34.
If there is something you’re clinging to that’s obstructing your walk with the Lord and robbing you of your spiritual joy – let it go. Joshua was even more specific – ‘if you cling to your old life or if you date a potential life-partner who does not know the Lord – you’re heading into a trap. You’re courting disaster.’
Can you identify something you need to let go so you can get your hand out of the long neck bottle to better cling to the Lord? May the Lord give you the strength and the courage to let it go today.