The follow verse keeps going through my mind:These 12 Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Do not go out in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.' "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse, the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. "Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for you journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support" - Matt. 10:5-10
Have you ever held back from doing something that God has asked you to do? Have you ever been sent by God and He asked you not to worry about how things may unravel? Have you ever been sent by God to what seems to be a hard situation or uncomfortable?
In this account, we see the disciples being sent out to do God's work and rely on God to provide. If they were able to take everything they needed, would God have had to provide for them? Would they have seen God working in their journey if they had a place to stay, food to eat, clothes for their journey? God wanted to show that he will provide for His work. That may look differently for each person and may not be expected, but they will you see the hand of the Lord in the situation that will cause you to praise him.
Jesus sent out other people several times in the same fashion. In Luke 10, Jesus sends out 72 disciples this time, and this is what happened:
The seventy-two returned with joy saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" And Jesus said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven"..."Then turning to the disciples Jesus said privately, "Blessed are they eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see , and did not see it, and to hear what you ear and id not hear it" - Luke 10:17-18,23-24
The disciples came back excited with joy. They saw first hand the Lord's work in their lives and the impact they had against Satan. Jesus makes the point of how valuable what they saw and did. In our lives, our we willing to leave behind comforts, resources and other things that may help our journey to see God work in our lives? If you're you looking to see God's hand in your life step out where He has asked you and allow Him to work. Think of the testimony you will have.
