The Oil in the Bottle
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14, ESV
I love how God is always speaking to us. Many times, we do not even recognize that it is Him.
Every morning before I begin prayer, I take communion and anoint myself with oil. One particular morning, as I shook the bottle to get the oil out, nothing came. I kept tapping the bottle against my fingers, but I didn’t see anything. When I lifted the bottle up to the light, I could clearly see there was still oil inside. So I tapped my fingers a little harder, and finally, some oil came out.
Immediately after the oil flowed, I heard the Holy Spirit say something to the effect that some people are just like the oil in the bottle. He said, “You had to tap the bottle several times to get the oil out. I have placed different gifts in each of you, and I have laid desires on your hearts. But for some, I must keep sending motivation—and sometimes place you in uncomfortable situations—to get the precious oil out.”
As I reflected on what He had placed in my spirit, the half-written books on my computer came to mind. God had put several books in my heart to write. I had started them, but I had not finished. Not too long ago, I was having a conversation with a dear friend, and in the middle of our discussion she said, “I think God wants you to write a book about prayer for this season.” I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit confirming her words.
That simple act of trying to get oil out of a bottle was God speaking to me about unfinished projects He had entrusted to me. I am paying attention now, and I will be taking time away from writing devotionals to finish the books God has so graciously placed in my spirit.
God is always speaking—we must listen closely and pay attention. I knew God had told me to write these books, but other things kept taking priority. We must be careful that when we say yes to God, we follow His instructions to completion. Remember Esther: she was afraid to go before the king on behalf of her people, and her cousin Mordecai told her:
“Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14, ESV
Everything God calls us to do is extremely important, and it is imperative that we follow His instructions. When I told my grandson not to walk into the street, it was a matter of life and death—even though he did not understand the danger. It was still imperative that he obey my instructions.
In the same way, we do not always understand God’s plans or what is coming next, but we have been called to walk by faith and not by sight. Every time God gives us an assignment, we must move forward in obedience, because partial obedience is disobedience.
I recognized that I was out of alignment and walking in disobedience, so I repented. I also asked God for permission to complete the books and get them published. That request was graciously granted, and in the coming year my focus will be on finishing and releasing the books God has placed in my spirit.
I want to encourage you: if there is something lingering in your heart that you have not started—or have not yet finished—take it to God. Repent, and ask Him for help to get back into alignment and move forward in your assignment.
Key Takeaways
God is always speaking—pay attention.
Your assignment is vital to the plan of God; complete it.
Partial obedience is disobedience.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
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