Come and Take It
By Grant Gaines
Located in the heart of the Wild West, the small town of Gonzales was a prime target for robbers and bandits to frequent in the early 1830’s. Knowing this, a high ranking political officer in the Mexican-controlled, Texas-based colony sent a request to the Mexican government for weapons to defend to colony against such attacks. The request was granted with one small, used cannon.
Fast-forward four years to 1835 as the Texans decide it’s time to break away from Mexico and claim their independence. The Mexican government, determined to squash this little rebellion, demanded that the town of Gonzales return the cannon or face the consequences of military enforcement and captivity. But the citizens of Gonzales did not comply with the government’s request.
As a result, the Mexican army was sent to this small outpost to forcefully take the cannon if their final offer of a peaceful surrender was once again rejected by the townspeople—which is exactly what happened. Instead of receiving a cannon and a letter of apology from the rowdy Texans, the Mexican government and army received a letter reading, “Come and Take It”.
The Texans weren’t willing to freely give up their cannon to the Mexican army. If the Mexicans wanted their cannon back from the town of Gonzales, they had to fight for it, they had to “Come and Take It”[1].
You know, the “Come and Take It” mentality is not too far off from the one God has for us. No, God is not scheming against your happiness by withholding your blessings. In fact, He loves you and longs to bless you (Zephaniah 3:17), He simply is waiting for you to come and take it.
The God of Israel swore to Abraham the Promise Land (Geneses 12:2-3), but Abraham first had to leave his family, friends, and everything he ever knew to acquire this gift (Genesis 12:1). The Deliverer promised to deliver Noah and his family from the ensuing flood (Genesis 7:1), but Noah first had to build the arc through which that salvation would come (Genesis 6:14-21). The Great I AM promised Moses that he would lead the nation of Israel out of bondage (Exodus 3:8), but Moses first had to convince a stubborn Pharaoh with 10 plagues (Exodus 7-11). The God of Old promised to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promise Land (Joshua 3:8), but the priests had to first step into the River before God would part the water (Joshua 3:13).The Almighty King promised David a kingdom (1 Samuel 16:13), but David first had to fight for it (1 Samuel 17-2 Samuel 2). Naaman was promised to be cleansed of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:10), but he first had to go wash in the river seven times (2 Kings 5:14).
You see, if you really want that prayer answered, that blessing delivered, or that gift from God, most of the time the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17) is waiting for you to make the first move. It’s as if the Lord is holding your answered prayer in one hand and a sign that reads, “Come and Take It” in the other. But unlike the Mexican and Texan armies, the loving Father does not view you as an enemy and is not attempting to keep you from the prize—He just wants to see if you really have faith that He is able to do what you asked Him to do. And so God waits for you to take that first step.
The Lord is looking for an active, “Come and Take It” faith. It’s what James 2 is all about—“…faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26, NIV). If you beg the Redeemer to resurrect your broken marriage but you’re more concerned with filling out divorce paperwork than fulfilling your vows, what type of faith is that? If you ask the Provider to provide you a job but you’re more consumed with the filling up your fantasy football roster than filling out applications, what type of faith is that? And if you ask the Savior to save your friend’s soul, but you’re more passionate about filling up your conversations with gossip than the Gospel, what type of faith is that? God is looking for an active, “Come and Take It” faith.
Jesus called Peter to walk on water (Matthew 14:28-29), but Peter first had to step out of the boat and onto the crashing waves (Matthew 14:29). Christ cured the paralytic (Mark 2:5, 11), but his friends first had to dig a hole in the roof to get the Healer (Mark 2:4). The Omnipotent One promised His disciples that they would make it to the other side of the lake (Mark 4:35), but they first had to go through a storm (Mark 6:37). The Risen Messiah called His followers to make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:18-20), but they first had to wait for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5). The Father promised the Son victory over Satan and evil (Genesis 3:15) but Christ first had to carry a cross (John 19:17-30). And the Savior promises you eternal life (John 3:16), but you first have to believe in Him (Romans 10:9). God is looking for an active, “Come and Take It” faith.
What descriptive word goes before your faith, “active” or “passive”? Certainly there are times when the Lord blesses us when we don’t make any move towards Him at all. But as we’ve just seen from the examples above, God is moved when we move. God responds to our requests when we first respond to our requests.
What are you asking the Father for today? Or maybe the more appropriate question is, what are you going to do to, “Come and Take It”?
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
©Grant Gaines 2013
[1] As a proud Texan, I would like to note that the Mexican army did try to come and take the cannon back only to be defeated by the Texans—thus starting the Texas Revolution.
