So, what does it look like when we “altar” the outcome? Biblically, it shows up in a variety of ways:
 
Abraham attempted to “alter” the outcome, and created chaos in his house with the birth of Ishmael. When he “altar’d” the outcome, he and his wife gave birth to Isaac, the father of Jacob who became Israel. (Gen. 16:1-16)
 
When the Israelites attempted to “alter” the outcome, they wandered for years in the wilderness, but when they “altar’d” the outcome, they were ready to face giants to enter the promised land. (Num 14:1-45)
 
David “altar’d” the outcome and strode into battle with his own giant carrying nothing but a strap of leather and some river rock. (1 Sam. 17:1-58)
 
Paul and Silas “altar’d” the outcome when they chose to start a gospel choir with their first venue as a prison cell. That choir, if you will remember, knocked down prison walls and saved an entire family of non-believers. (Acts 16:16-40)
 
Altaring the outcome is not about our circumstances. It’s not about the battle we fight or the trouble we face. In fact, it’s not about who (or where) we are at all. It IS about our response to who HE is. It is the unfailing confidence that, even through fire or flood or famine, God loves us and has our best interest at heart paired with the knowledge that the end goal is a life that looks more like Christ’s. It is trusting in HIS plan and believing that he will bring us through the battles we face, even if it is not always in the way we hoped.
 

About the Seeking Scripture Team: We are a group of believers from all walks of the faith, saved by grace alone through faith in our Messiah. While we are of one accord in many things, we are all works in progress and lifelong learners. Therefore the opinions of one may not always represent the opinions of all.

Matt Adams
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