The Alliances & Friendships We Form

Woe to the obstinate children," declares the Lord, "to those who carry out plans that are not Mine, forming an alliance, but not by My Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting Me; who look for help to Pharaoh's protection, to Egypt's shade for refuge. - Isaiah 30:1-2

Think hard. Who, currently is deeply ingrained in your life that you find either draining or detrimental to your character, your family or your work. Let me ask it differently, less personally: Have you ever entered a business association with someone that seemed profitable but concerned you from the outset as to its affect on your character or your own ethics?

If you have spent any time at all in the Old Testament studying or reading about the nation of Israel, you have read how it was that God, time and time again, told them to keep themselves separate from those who were not God worshippers. A metaphor for holiness is God leading Israel out of Egypt and throughout the history of Israel, the people were instructed to come out of an old way of life into a life that personalized and solidified their relationship with God.

Of course Egypt represented that old way of living; a way that was convenient and perhaps even easy but also was full of bondage. You will recall after leaving Egypt when things got tough for the Jews, the Israelites reverted to what was familiar and comfortable; they reverted back to the way they acted in Egypt. Another way of saying it was the Jews always knew they could take a mental, emotional and actionable (How I decide to act) trip to Egypt and find what they presumed they needed. I'm sure because of their lack of familiarity with God they would think to themselves: "If we can't get it accomplished under this new "God-lead" way, we can easily go back to the way we used to do it? At least we know what the outcome will be there!"

When God calls us into a Life in Christ we can expect the rest of life to go on. We will still, every day, be given choices. Every day we will have to choose to be godly or rebellious to a God-lead life. One area that is a tough one is relationships. It seems like a balancing act. How do we grow and develop healthy, eternal relationships and how do we interact with the world? A key is our alliances. If we enter into alliances that God has not ordained, it will only bring heartache. Such was the case for Israel., But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame, Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace - Isaiah 30:3.

Beware what you perceive as an alliance that may advance your position in life, your standing in the community, your business or, even favor in your local church! This is a great time to "try the spirits" to see if they are a leading from God or if they are simply an opportunistic decision which has no God approval at all. We all know that without Godly approval relationships may actually bring us great distress. If God has not directed you to align yourself or does not wish you to deeply involve yourself with others then my suggestion is to consider it as a halt in your spirit not to move forward in that particular joining. A good question might be to ask yourself is, "What the motive is behind this possible connection?" Make sure that it is not based on fear, greed or a quick fix. Get confirmation that God is leading you to make come together with important relationships. Let's avoid the history of Israel. They spent way too much time untangling themselves from sin brought on through poorly considered relations.

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~