The main character in His story

Sarah Schlemmer - Prayer Leader
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Sarah grew up in Whitehall Montana and came to IHOP in January 2005 and completed the Onething Internship. Her desire is to increase daily in the revelation of Jesus through prayer and studying His word, so that she would live a life without mixture and bring glory to His name.


Don’t you just hate it when you watch a good movie, then the sequel finally comes out and the main character is replaced by a different actor? It’s just horrible. Yes, the story continues and it’s somewhat satisfying. But it’s so much better when the main character is played by the same actor all throughout the story. There is something established in a story though its characters. If they change midstream it changes the impact of the story.

This is what happens when Israel is replaced in the middle of the story of redemption. It’s a poor analogy, I know, but it gives a small way for the heart to connect to the importance of the characters in this continuing story called Redemption. 

From the beginning of time the Lord has been directing His story. He set the stage, He wrote the script and He has picked the main characters. Throughout the ages He’s been carefully orchestrating each part of this story and it’s centered around the main character, Israel.

After the fall, the Lord promised restoration through the offspring of Adam and Eve.  A few generations later Abraham entered center stage. It was to this man that everlasting covenants were made. These covenants carried on to his son Isaac and then to Jacob. Through this chosen family salvation would come to the nations. 

However, with a quick overview of the history of this family it can be clearly seen, that they are not the means of salvation but the main character of the story. Their inadequacy is displayed over and over again as it is contrasted against the faithfulness of the One who made the covenants. There is no denying that salvation belongs to the Lord. Israel cannot save but they are those whom the Lord has chosen to display His glory in salvation.  One day He would come through them-as a member of their family-to take away the sins of the world.  And He did. The Word that was in the garden became flesh-Jewish flesh- and dwelt among us. Salvation came through the offspring of Adam and Eve, just as He said it would. 

But God is not finished with this nation. In choosing Israel, He made many everlasting promises to them. They are still the firstborn; Israel will always be the apple of His eye. He will never replace or reject them.  Even if our theology changes, it doesn’t change Him or His heart toward them.  Israel will forever be the main character in His story. And every word He has spoken to them is yes and amen.

Lord is the Author and the Director and He has a written a good story. Even though Israel is and will always be first, He has included us in His story too. He made a way for us to be joined to the promises that were made specifically to this family. Who can write a story like Him? It’s glorious!

I admit that I do not fully understand the importance of Israel but I choose to agree with their place while I grow in understanding. Though, I do not feel a deep connection to this nation in my heart, I choose to embrace them and pray for them. If this is the way the Lord has chosen to bring forth salvation, then I agree with it because everything He does is perfect. In understanding His ways, we will grow in understanding Him. It is worth our time to search out His story because we will know Him more through it.

© 2012 Sarah Schlemmer