This saying sums it all up for me. People put a lot of stock into the world's traditional view of family and even declare, "blood is thicker than water". God's view of family is everyone who submits their will to His will and dedicates their lives to His Son, Jesus. Abraham was called the father of many nations as a covenant between him and God. Commentary describes many nations as a multitude of nations. All that the Christian world enjoys, it is indebted to Abraham and his Seed. We become one in the family of God and He sees us through the eyes of Jesus.
In Revelation 7:9 the text reads, "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." No where does it reads the Smith and Jones Families were on the left, the Italians in the back, the Africans to the side....God isn't of the world we live in today and His traditions are about remember times gone past and worshiping Him with thanksgiving for all He has done in our lives. Our loyalties should be to God and His commandments and not to our friends and families. We have created traditions in our family that give way to idol and self worship. We even worship our kids and possessions. Wikipedia describes an idol as: an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed or any person or thing regarded with admiration, adoration, or devotion.
My Bible says, "For God's thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are His ways our ways," Isaiah 55:8. Plans are made and we work hard to ensure we get all we want for ourselves and families. Unless we seek God's plans, purpose and destiny for our lives, we often see our efforts turn into frustration or calamity. "A man plans his way, but it is the Lord who directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). If God is not apart of your life or family and if you haven't asked the Lord to direct your steps, the plans are from your own desires and ordered according to our will and not God's will. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future - Jeremiah 29:11.
Father, give us wisdom to understand Your will for us in every area of lives and in all relationships. Quicken us with the revelation Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Helps us grow daily into our roles as children of the King. Show me how to lean on Your ability and knowledge and not my own. Work through in me and through me recreating me into who You chose me to be for Kingdom purposes. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
