I Will

Two simple words, "I will," showing a commitment, a promise that we will do what we are asked. That we will follow through, that we trust and do, especially what the Father askes us to do, that we simply will.

Rebekah, when asked if she would leave her people, her land, everyone and everything she had known to go marry a man she never met, she simply said, "I will go." (Genesis 24:58) Her father knew this was a mission straight from the Lord Himself by saying, “The Lord has obviously brought you here, so there is nothing we can say." (Genesis 24:50) Rebekah was still given the opportunity to answer if she would go and she said she would, leading me to believe she too knew this was the Lord's direction for her, so she chose to go. Rebekah said, "I will."

Many women throughout the Bible were given assignments by the Lord and were given a choice and these women were ready and willing to do God's will. They all said, "I will."

The most notable and noteworthy response came from Mary, the mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ. When it was told her that she would miraculously conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, her response was of one who was ready to do the Lord's work. Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant." Luke 1:38 As the verse continues she seemed eager to carry out the Lord's plan by saying, "May everything you have said about me come true." Mary said, "I will."

Her cousin told her that she was blessed because she believed that the Lord would do what he said (Luke 1:45). She had faith in His plan and because of that her soul magnified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced in God her savior.

Esther realized that she was at the right time and place to carry out the work of the Lord. She had to save her uncle and her people's life and she knew she was in the king's palace for such a time as this. She was even willing to die to carry out God's will. Esther said, "I will."

Rahab was willing to hide the spies out of her fear, respect and awe for the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below. She carried out the mission to protect the spies because she knew that God had given their people the land, declaring God as the one true supreme God. Rahab said, "I will."

Hannah was willing to devote her son to God for his purpose and mission. She poured her heart out to God asking Him for a son with a promise and faith to give him back to God to serve in the temple. Hannah prayed, "O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut" (1 Samuel 1:11). She made good on her promise having complete faith and trust in God's plan and worshiped the Lord for his goodness. "Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there" (1 Samuel 1:28). Hannah said, "I will."

Hebrews 11 gives a list of people throughout history who trusted God and had faith in the Lord and His plans. People who did not lean on their own understanding, but in all their ways acknowledged God. They wished for God's will over their own and they said, "I will...," whatever the Lord had asked of them. Their will was not their own, their will was not what mattered to them, but rather God's will be done.

A man and the Son of God had the ultimate mission to carry out for God. He was asked to die on the cross for the sins of mankind. He was asked to suffer in agony and pain for a sinful people, he was asked to pay a price for crimes he never committed and He said, "I will." He said, "not my will, but yours be done." He knew what this would entail, he knew these sins would make him unholy for a moment and would be separated from the Father for a short time, but that was still too long. He was in such agony that sweat and blood poured from his head as he prayed for God to take this from him and not have to follow through with this task, but knew ultimately that it was God's will that he wanted to accomplish. Jesus said, "I will."

What about you and me? We are asked to take up our cross and follow Jesus, we are asked to take care of "least of these," we are asked to "go into all the world and preach the gospel," we are asked to "run the race with endurance," we are asked to plant seeds, to let our light shine so we may bring glory to God, we are asked to remain in Christ, we are asked to trust, have faith, love God and love others, put on Christ in the waters of baptism, we are asked to stay faithful until the Lord returns. I pray all of our answers will be, "I will."