If you’ve been sent into a tailspin, take a look at seven Old Testament Bible stories and truths to change your life. From the beginning of time, life changes course and throws us for a loop wondering how we got here and why.
Your momma probably told you not to interrupt, but God’s interruptions aren’t rude, they are an invitation. They aren’t usually fun, convenient or brief, but it’s nothing new. The Bible is full of interrupted lives.
Interrupted by betrayal
Living in the upscale neighborhood of Canaan strutting around in designer clothes, Joseph had it all. Then he went on a trek to do what his father asked him to do and was interrupted by his brothers’ jealousy. The choices of others can derail the course of life and those who ought to love us end up tossing us into a dark, dry hole where we end up becoming slaves because of their sins.
Slavery to resentment tethers us to those who reject us and interrupt our mission in life.
But God gave him a bigger vision. Twenty years after checking on his brothers to see if they were well, he provided for them when there was no food and starvation threatened their existence.
His generosity toward those who intended to hurt him freed him from the grip of unforgiveness. Maybe you’ve been interrupted by betrayal too.
Interrupted by a relocation package
Abraham was interrupted by a relocation package. God told him to leave his comfort zone and go to the land of uncertainty. He was pretty vague about next steps too.
Isaiah, says, “Whether you turn to the right or the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, this is the way, walk in it.” Don’t you sometimes wish God would say out loud, no not that way, this way?
Maybe you’ve moved to a new neighborhood, job or church and the scenery changed and the comfort of familiar is gone. Pulling up roots always breaks the tender ones and those broken places hurt.
We long for the same when God interrupts with the different.
Don’t let the unknown future or the comfortable life keep you from the covenant life. When God says go, then go. Ah, but, the hard part is knowing. Abram asked, “O sovereign Lord, how can I be sure?” (Genesis 15:7) I’ve asked the same question, you probably have too.
Interrupted by a barefoot assignment
After witnessing mistreatment from an Egyptian, Moses thought he was going to rescue his people. At the time, they didn’t share his enthusiasm. Is there something you thought you were going to do and someone discouraged you with the question, “Who do you think you are?”
Moses was called to deliver, though is timing was off at first. Then he did what we are all tempted to do when our calling gets tough and we’re tired. We camp out on easy street, take up an ordinary life and put our calling on the shelf while we tend sheep. But God interrupted the mundane with a holy fire.
Take off your shoes, because God might just decide to interrupt your life too. The Lord still calls the disqualified and unqualified out of obscurity.
When Moses first encountered God, he asked, “Who am I?” then “Who are you?” Once he understood those two things, he delivered his people to the promised land.
Until you understand who you are and who God is, you’ll never encounter the holiness and glory of the Lord. But how?
When the waters part, cross over dry ground in faith, to the place of access to our Holy Father. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He is the gate and the door that leads to salvation.
And once you’ve been in His presence, it shows on your face.
Interrupted by a new wardrobe
It all started with a shopping trip in a forbidden store and ended with major debt she could never pay off. Like all women after her, Eve couldn’t resist what was “good for food and pleasing to the eye and desirable for gaining wisdom.”
Then after indulging herself, she realized her wardrobe was not just out of style, but totally inappropriate. Like showing up to a cocktail party in overalls, she was humiliated.
With no time to pack, the unhappy couple left the comfort of the garden where food came easy, and got exactly what they wanted – the fruit of their own labor: sweat, fatigue, never-ending work that is never enough. And Eve got to choose her wardrobe – the righteousness of the blood of the lamb or the camouflage of her own effort.
Oh friends, quit hiding behind the exhaustion of trying to cover up your never enough.
Interrupted by bad choices
Jonah was interrupted by an all-expense vacation to the one place he didn’t want to go. I mean after all, there were “those” people living in Ninevah. People who thought and acted different and of course we are “set apart” now aren’t we? I’m sure he didn’t want them to think he was condoning their sin by paying them a visit to, you know, tell them about God.
Who wants to go somewhere where people act like they don’t know the Lord, when…they don’t know the Lord. Jonah didn’t want to go because he didn’t think the people deserved God’s grace.
Funny how we sometimes forget, we don’t deserve grace either.
If you stay in your Christian community bubble, like Jonah ya might run in the opposite direction God wants you to go. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. Some of us forget to be associated with anyone who doesn’t think the way we do, and some of us forget not to get sucked into it.
Interrupted by madness and an invitation
When David’s ladder to success was interrupted by Saul’s absolute madness, God rescued him, but whew, it took twenty years.
I’ll confess, I don’t always like God’s timing, but I do trust His heart.
David used the sword for the first time on an enemy who was already defeated by a single rock. And he went out on that battlefield unencumbered by worldly protection. Goliath taunted the army mercilessly, so David volunteered to take a sling at it, but he declined Saul’s heavy armor and then Saul asked, “Who’s your daddy?”
You see, if we live like children of the Almighty God, people will want to know about our Heavenly Father too.
Live in a way so that others want what you have. Now, I’m not talking about doing all the do’s and avoiding all the don’ts so everyone knows what a good Christian you are. What really makes an impact is that unexplainable peace that passes understanding. Faith in the face of uncertainty. Joy despite our circumstances. Love for our enemies. Kindness and generosity toward friends, strangers and the poor and needy. “Let your good light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Interrupted by a crazy assignment
Noah lived where it had never rained before, and God gave him some crazy blueprints and an even crazier assignment that involved every living creature. God was sorry he even made the earth and vowed to destroy it all, but… Aren’t you glad there’s a but.
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. But for grace. Sweet, amazing grace.
“Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless man living on the earth at the time and he walked in close fellowship with God”
Oh tell me more about this righteousness that is connected to grace!
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, and no one comes to the Father except by me.” Now Noah may have said, the Ark is the Way, it’s true, if you try any other way, you won’t find life.
All these people waved to Noah as he sealed the Ark. The Way, the Truth and the Life boat. When it started to rain, they started to worry, but reminded themselves of the reasons they didn’t need a boat. Then the Lord closed the door and soon the ground was covered with water and no place was safe, but it was too late. They didn’t believe and they perished.
Eventually the door of opportunity closes.
Seven Old Testament stories and truths to change your life
These Old Testament stories are often incredulous. Sometimes they are so familiar, we miss the truths. If this article whet your appetite to see more, it’s not too late to sign up for the Intermission Summit series. Noah is the last in the episode, but you’ll get access to all seven videos if you enter your email address. They are short, about 6-10 minutes, and filled with truth, fun and a bit of humor. Don’t miss it! CLICK HERE to learn more about seven Old Testament stories and truths to change your life.
Hi Vickie!! Loved this writing!! It was so inspiring to see 7 Old Testament stories written together showing Gods sovereignty. I really enjoyed how you put it in today’s language. Really put Gods grace and sovereignty into modern perspective!!
Thank you!! Krista Meade (Israel 2019)
It is so good to hear from you! Loved getting to know you on the Rose bus. Thanks for your encouragement. I look forward to sharing more through videos.
Blessings,
Vickie