Toil

Today brings a brand new year; 2011. I began a one year reading program through the Bible. I thought it was fitting that the program, provided by the ESV Study Bible, would begin with Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Here is the passage.

“For everything there is a season, and  a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die;a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” (ESV)

The writer of Ecclesiastes understood the concept that God is in control. Allow for a little clarification here. To say “God is in control” is not to say that we should just throw our hands up and say, “God controls it so I don’t need to do anything about anything.” It is quite the opposite.

This passage is a list of action items. The writer expresses there is a time and place for everything and then describes some of those things we do to effect those matters “under heaven”. We live, we die. We work, we rest. We fight, we make peace. We remove the old, we create the new. We feel sadness, we feel happiness. These are all actions that we take in response to life’s circumstances.

As the year 2011 begins, let us take a hard look at this list as instruction for how we should react to those joyous and trying times that we will experience this year. “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” in other words God knows what will happen in your life this year, so rely on Him to help you know how to respond. Be prepared by knowing that God will prepare you if you will simply ask.

Take a look at this passage today and read a little further. See how “toil” is a gift from God. Then go back and read this wonderful list of action items again. Be resolved to react in 2011 with God in mind first no matter the circumstance.

2011
01/01
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The Saul in David’s Life

During the winter and spring of this year I finished a study in 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings, and 1st and 2nd Chronicles. It was a fantastic study as most studies are from the Bible. There was much to read, learn, and apply to life as I turned page after page discovering God’s work with kings and princes of that era.

Beginning in October, I started reading through the Bible in 90 days and recently read through 1st and 2nd Samuel again. One story contained in these books never fails to speak volumes to me about the truths behind loyalty, honor, and forgiveness from God’s perspective through mankind. It is the story of Saul’s hatred for and jealousy of David (1 Samuel 18:6-16).

After God departs from Saul, because of his sinfulness and disobedience toward Him, David is called by God to be anointed king of Israel. It is demonstrated for us right upfront that David will be the better leader. However, Saul remains king and if David recognizes nothing else it is that Saul “is God’s anointed” leader and lord of the nation.

David defeats Goliath and from there his career as a leader among the people is established through Saul’s call on him to lead the nation’s army. He never turns back from his duty in meeting all that Saul requires of him. He never wavered in his faithfulness to King Saul.

In time Saul became jealous of David’s fame and recognition as he conquered army after army in the name of Lord (God). Yet, David remained loyal to Saul. At various times Saul attempted to take David’s life and eventually David was forced to flee from him.

Even in hiding David remained true to Saul, “God’s anointed”. David had the opportunity to eliminate Saul on two occasions and held his hand at bay in doing so. The first opportunity came in a cave where Saul had gone to relieve himself. He was left helpless in that moment and David’s men sought to take full advantage of the circumstance.

However, David thought better of doing what they suggested. In response to the urging of his men to take the king’s life he said, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.” 1 Samuel 24:6 (ESV)

Later, another moment like the one above came when Saul and his men were camped for the night. David and one of his men named Abishai made their way into the camp. God even provided a moment for Saul to be eliminated by David, or at least it appeared that way, “for they were all asleep, because a sound sleep from the Lord had fallen on them.”[1] Abishai expressed to David that God had delivered Saul up into David’s hands, so his life might be taken. Again, David stayed the execution of Saul.

“But David said to Abishai, “’Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?” And David said, “As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go.’” 1 Samuel 26:9-11 (ESV)

Why was David willing to let Saul live? Saul had tried to kill him multiple times and pursued him relentlessly to take his life. David was literally provided moments by God to take Saul’s life and did not do it.

The answer lays in the responses David provides in these circumstances. There are two key phrases of note that clearly demonstrates why David hesitated to kill Saul. They are “the Lord forbid that I” and “the Lord’s anointed”.

David understood something about God’s workings with mankind. First, he understood that God determines our actions. In every encounter where David goes to battle with others he inquired of God before doing so. David knew and acknowledged that it was God who must determine an outcome for Saul even though moments of what appeared to be opportunity had arisen.

Second, God anointed Saul prince (king) over his people Israel meaning that Saul was the nation’s leader (1 Samuel 10). Yes, God had removed Himself from Saul’s presences, but that did not mean that God was done using Saul for His plan and purpose. He was uniquely chosen and positioned by God to lead His people. God put him there with purpose and David recognized fully that God had to be the One to remove him.

David loved Saul and his loyalty to, honor, and forgiveness for him never ceased even with everything he had gone through with Saul. It must be noted here that David’s perception of Saul was continually seen through the eyes of God. He looked at Saul as the one placed by God, anointed, to lead and therefore was untouchable by those who fell under his rule.

He saw Saul as the person who resided by between God and the people of God. It did not seem to matter to David that Saul was a lousy person, terrible leader, or corrupt king. We never see David react to Saul in other way, but in ways of honor, respect, and loyalty. He put God first in his actions and his thoughts regarding the hard circumstances with Saul. The result was an honoring of God first and then the man God had chosen.

If there is any doubt that David felt strongly about honoring Saul and his God-given position, take a look at what occurred with the person who delivered the news that Saul had been killed in 2 Samuel 1. A young man came from the battle claiming that Saul had essentially begged him to kill him, because of his injuries. The young man had brought Saul’s crown and an armlet to David thinking that he was bringing good news to David about Saul’s death.

This was not the case. David asked the young man, “How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”[2] There is that phrase again referring to God’s chosen. The man did not have time to respond, because David ordered his immediate execution.

“Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him.” And he struck him down so that he died. And David said to him, “Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’ ” 2 Samuel 1:15-16 (ESV)

David was faithful to Saul until Saul’s bitter end. Is there a lesson in this for the believer in Christ Jesus? There is, but one must look through the eyes of God at the people around them who hate and persecute them.

David had to rely on God fully throughout his experience with Saul. He was strengthened in faith toward God with each encounter and circumstance. Steadfast love for the one who sought his life was David’s way of life during these turbulent times.

These were all exercised out in David’s life as he looked to God as the ultimate arbitrator concerning his life specifically and the kingdom of Israel, God’s chosen people. He relied on God to provide his way in dealing with Saul’s jealousy and hatred toward him. He understood that his focus must be on God, and God alone, as God dealt with Saul. Thus, love, loyalty, honor, and forgiveness for Saul remained continually in the forefront of David’s mind.

Yes, there is a lesson for the believer. We must rely on Christ Jesus to do for us what God did for David. We will experience rough and hard circumstances in life as we deal with people who simply hate us for what we believe. We must be like David as we look at God’s chosen Sauls in our lives and then exercise fully that action where God is the only decision maker in all that we do.

[1] 1 Samuel 26:12

[2] 2 Samuel 1:14

2010
11/10
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Seeding Soothesaids

I sat stunned. It was not that it was anything new, but still it stunned me. What I heard and saw amazed me, but not in a positive way. Line after line, scene after scene decried heresy and all on worldwide television.

Pressed and neat, combed and clean, manicured and tightly groomed, his right hand held the living word of the holy God. His voice rose and fell in an eloquent, yet methodical cadence. His left hand and arm raised and animated to drive point after point home to the 2000, or so, sitting in the congregation, not to mention the tens of thousands watching from home.

“God, is a God of love! God, is a God of blessing!” A broad smile crept across his face as if to imply that he and he alone, had some secret knowledge given him of God to share with the world.

“He sent His Son to purchase our salvation! There is no hell for you, because Jesus purchased eternal life for you! Hell is reserved for Satan, his demons, and the fallen of heaven, but there is no hell for you. God has blessed you, because Jesus bought the blessing of your salvation, but you must access it and the way you access is to plant a seed.”

Bible to the pulpit, and a book to hand, “If you will just follow these divine principles, they are the Biblical laws really for gaining monetary blessings and they are outlined in this book. God certainly has a blessing for your life.”

“Buying this”, he elevated the book to view, “is planting a seed; a seed that will grow to wealth unimaginable, because you have accepted the blessing of the living God by doing them.” His secret was fully revealed and the darkness of a desperate world lost to idolatry filled my heart and mind. The soothsayer had flung his net and I imagined the bounty as it fed on that evil bait so easily digested; that of a god called “money” and how it can solve everything in life if you will just believe in it.

Our country is full of desperate people. Contained within its borders are those destitute, down trodden, and needy. They live in a dark place with little more than what they have on their person, but maybe a bit more. Their need for something to latch on to, anything to latch on to, drives them to seek those things that they believe will bring them some sense of hope.

HOPE. There are very few indeed who do not understand this basic want as the world seems to fall apart around us day by day during these turbulent times. STABILITY. Stability is sought, but wholly misunderstood in today’s economy based culture as people seek what they believe to be normality. SECURITY. Time after time the world gives us great moments of pause as we look upon and attempt to ingest the devastation that can be reaped by earthbound sinners.

However, there is no refuge found in the “blessings” peddled by the soothsayers lost to the satanic world of a gospel held hostage for some imaginary payoff from God. Ministerial extortion has no place with God or with the Son who sacrificed Himself on the cross for the sins of those who would follow Him. No principle founded in a “greased palm” as price for blessing in this life can be righteously justified as treasure put away for the next.

It is true that money is something that we require to function day to day in our American culture. Our daily sustenance, housing, and those material things needed to survive require purchase by way currency. But, no matter the slick spin of a soothsayer, there are no sales available for a ticket to the everlasting. However make no mistake, there was a great price exacted on behalf of those whom God calls to follow the living Christ Jesus and money itself or the material bought by it had no role in it.

Hope, stability, and security are born out of a relationship with God through His Son Jesus and not purchased through anything that we may acquire in our temporal state. Faith wrought out of us by God requires no payment plan or the spreading of some imaginary monetary seeds. As matter of fact, true faith requires that you shed any dependence that you might have on all things material and to be completely dependent on God.

This is not to say that God is going to deliver goods to you personally or drop some much needed cash into your bank account. You still have to work hard and earn that money that you and your family needs in order to survive. However, God can provide you with the strength and insight into overcoming the challenging circumstances in all areas of your life moment by moment. This, of course, requires that you give up the idols that you vainly rely on to make your hard work fruitful. One of those idols is most certainly money.

Jesus provides the perfect example for us as to how this type of idolatry can be overcome in the following passage.

“And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ ”

And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.’ ” Luke 18:18-27 (ESV)

You see here that there are no blessings in the earthly wealth that can be attained by a person. Rather, Jesus reveals that earthly wealth can actually be a snare to one’s call to follow Him. Jesus did not say that the wealth of the young man was bad. As a matter of fact, he pointed to the benefits that can come from those who are willing to give up their wealth to benefit the destitution of others.

However, that is not the primary matter in Jesus’ teaching here. He pointed to the man and said that it was nearly impossible for him, because of his refusal to follow Christ based on his lust for that idol called “money”. The point was not found in the money itself, but in the love of money, or the love of an empty idol in the man’s life. It prevented him from entering the kingdom of God. Simply put, the young man forsook Jesus and chose money as god over the living God even though he had been taught the ways of the living God.

The Apostle Peter directs the Christian to watch carefully for the soothsayer, giving a full description of them, and then some words of encouragement as we should look to avoid them. They teach “a news”, but not the Good News that he, Peter, witnessed while Jesus was with them. There is no rescue for those who lead the children of God astray. Peter said,

“Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"— and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.” 1 Peter 1:12 – 2:10 (NASB)

This ran through my mind as I sat stunned watching the soothsayer intone the sweet melody of a god worshipped and made of paper. Of course, it was his personal idol for which he demanded prayer and sacrifice from the “good Christian” who may have been no “Christian” at all.

To those who seek hope, stability, and security, do not look to the god that delivers something so impermanent as money or the material things that comes from it. Rather, look to the One and Only God who makes all things permanent through His Son Christ Jesus. Look away from the soothsayers of this kingdom “who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires” and hear the One that calls you to lay up treasure in the next kingdom and “follow” Him.

2010
11/01
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Not Just a Defense: Supreme and Authoritative God

On a Personal Note and Introduction

This written piece has been a labor for me. Not because it introduces anything new or inventive in it, but because I see myself in it. There is a sin associated with neglecting the meanings behind those lessons so graciously given us by God in the Holy Bible.

I believe that there is a remedy found in the God’s word for all circumstances found in life and I know that at times my first source for understanding has not always been prayer, the Holy Spirit, or the Bible. This for me is an issue with submission, obedience, and recognition for God’s ultimate authority in my life. So, as I wrote this piece about God’s supreme authority in the lives of Christians, the Biblical study and research involved convicted me and then refreshed my mind and heart to concepts that I have suppressed in recent times.

First and foremost I had forgotten that when God defends his children that defense is formed out of His unfailing and perfect purpose, plan, will, and love. I had also forgotten that when God does defend us that at the root of that defense is the glory of God. It is not the glory that we give Him, although I cannot express how very important that is, but the glory He gains for Himself through those challenges overcome by Him in our lives.

All that we, believers in Christ Jesus, do in life requires a position of subservience to the holy, righteous, and supreme God. When we fall to that position in relation to God, a work begins based in humility and obedience. God is glorified and worshipped from the proper human perceptive when He reveals this to us and then we act on it.

With these thoughts in mind, let us move to the actual article itself. I pray that you find in it God glorified and lessons take carry with you as God does battle for you every moment of everyday.

~ Mike

Not Just a Defense: Supreme and Authoritative God (Numbers 12)

David essentially says in a summary of Psalm 59: Lord I have enemies. You are my fortress against these enemies. You alone can overcome them for me through your power and might. I cannot do this in my own strength, because I have none. Only You have the strength to overcome them.

Beyond the Defense

One of the things that faithful Christians overlook at times is just how much God defends them from outward attacks. These attacks come in couple of forms. First, there is the attack where your physical person is in danger. Second, there is the spiritual attack where God literally shields you from the evil that exists in the world. Sometimes these attacks can be one in the same, but that is best left for another discussion.

Moses experienced an attack from of all people his brother Aaron and his sister Miriam. We read in Numbers 12:1-2 how their attack on Moses begins.

“Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it.”

It is important to note upfront the selfishness, pride, and arrogance that exists in Aaron and Miriam’s statements. They point at Moses and essentially say, “We judge you based on our view of your actions”. They believe that their perception based in Moses’ circumstance establishes some sort of sin for him in relation to who he married. Further, they elevate, literally exalt, themselves over him, because they think they possess the same God given gifts as Moses.

God heard what Aaron and Miriam said to Moses. He also knew what they were thinking in regard to their perceptions of Moses’ alleged sin, “…for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.[1]” He called all three out to the “tent of meeting” (the Tabernacle) and they went.

At this point you might be told in today’s mainline Christian culture that God wanted to have a “fatherly chat” with them. It is obvious based on the outcome of this encounter that God did no such thing. The writer of Hebrews said, “It is a fearful [terrifying] thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”[2] He descended in pillar of fire and calls Aaron and Miriam forth and this is what He said to them.

“Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Numbers 12:6-8 (ESV)

It is true that God did defend Moses as He spoke to his brother and sister, and we will discuss that in moment, but what is more important is that God fully establishes Himself here as the only judge of a person’s status; “He [Moses] is faithful in all my house”. In other words, we may see someone commit what we believe to be a sin, but that does not mean that we are allowed to judge that person based on what WE believe WE have seen or upon our OWN merits. God’s merit alone is the only thing that counts.

We have no right to this determination, because we are sinners; imperfect in thought, word, deed, and faith. It is God alone who perfects this determination, because He is perfect in everything. He determines for Himself who is or has been faithful to Him, therefore He is the only arbiter and judge in all matters circumstantially human.

Certainly, God allows us to discern within the sinful circumstances that we may see around us and we are allowed to make determinations about how we will react Biblically to those circumstances. It is the Christian’s responsibility to do so. However, any judgment made on the sinner must be left to the holy, righteous, and perfect God.

Further, we must be fully aware of God’s perception of our actions. It seems easy for the Christ follower here and now to look outside of themselves and say, “Look! Sin!” However, exclamations of other’s sinfulness should be restrained. After all, isn’t that what Miriam and Aaron did? Instead, do as Jesus commands:

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. Matthew 7:1-6 (ESV)

Follow this up with, and take to heart, John’s encouraging word about how to approach the sinful circumstances you see in and around your Christian brothers and sisters.

“If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death.” 1 John 5:16 (ESV)

Do not judge and then pray. In both statements there is common theme. It is God’s responsibility, not ours, to judge. Miriam and Aaron ignored this very crucial aspect of God’s perfect authority and supremacy.

In Defense Of

Let us go back to God’s defense of Moses. Do you see and hear how God deals with Moses in His response to Aaron and Miriam? Do not think for a moment that Moses was pouting, because we do not have any Biblical evidence that he was. Place yourself in Moses’ shoes for a moment and ponder what you might think and feel if you were up against what he was against in this situation.

You would be discouraged, down trodden, and maybe angry. Again, we do not have any evidence that this is the way that Moses thought or felt about the matter. We can, however, look back in the book of Numbers a little and see that Moses had complained to the Lord about the weight of his responsibility with the people of Israel regarding their desire for “meat” and their associated greed in that regard. (See Numbers 11) We know that Moses exhibited discouragement, down trodden-ness, and anger with the people of Israel when they came out against him on numerous occasions. We also know that he was frustrated with God at times, so it seems reasonable that we can safely assume how he must have felt in this situation with his brother and sister.

In God’s response to Miriam and Aaron we see how God builds Moses up and defends him as He does so. It is not that God is the great self-help “guru” as some would have us believe in today’s culture. It is that God demanded from Miriam and Aaron the righteous and holy respect that He alone is due and points to Moses as the benefactor of a unique and special relationship with Him.

God seeks to smash the pride and arrogance associated with this circumstance. The bi-product in how God dealt with these two people was the defense and uplifting of Moses as His chosen mouthpiece. We too, those who have been saved and follow the living Christ in truth, are God’s chosen mouthpiece in spreading Good News and at times we may suffer, like Moses, from the type of distain, pride, and arrogance as exhibited by his brother and sister.

In these circumstances we must rely on God to carry us through just as Moses did in this encounter and throughout his time leading God’s people. Looking at this passage we do not see Moses responding to Aaron and Miriam. The term “suddenly” is there to refer to God’s insertion into the situation. It literally means “suddenness”, “suddenly”, or “immediately”, so it may be that Moses did not have time to respond to their accusations. In any case, God responded on Moses behalf and we, in this day and age, must obediently submit to God’s intervening power in our lives as well.

Not Our Defense

There is another factor in the situation with these God and these three. Aaron and Miriam were correct in their assertion that they too were prophets. Go back to verses 1 and 2 for a moment, “Has he not spoken through us also?” Yes, God had absolutely spoken through them, but God was not looking at what they were saying, instead He looked at the truth behind why they said what they said.

The Psalmist rightly said, “Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands…” Psalms 10:13-14 (ESV)

Their motives and attitudes in relation to their role as compared to God’s ultimate authority, not Moses’ role, is what God revealed in this sinful situation as He took this matter “into [His] hands”. They took their presumed “position” and used it as a mechanism to denounce God and renounce His dominion over Israel. Their complaint was with God and His decision to place Moses at the head of His chosen people. God was brought into question. They attempted to frame this in the accusation against Moses and then cloaked it in a fained concern for the people.

Aaron and Miriam’s attitude and sin is not one that is unique to them alone in the Bible. As a matter of fact it is not unique to them from any fallen human point of view. Christians in this day and age challenge the supreme authority of God as He has chosen those whom He has selected to lead His people in the here and now. We may challenge those chosen on the basis of our own merit, but at the heart of our complaint the matter does not actually revolve around them. Rather, the complaint against them is used as a tactic to conceal the sin in challenging God and His absolute supremacy in our lives. Of course, it is not. God sees it and knows it fully.

We are called to be obediently submissive to the God who knows all things. This includes all things me, you, them, they, us, we, and those. Some have made it a practice to judge the faithfulness of men and/or women, label it “discernment”, and then cloak it in concern for the fold. Their motives and attitudes on a human level serve to destroy all else accept their specific agenda. It is based wholly in their sinful desires to be “the one” in position of power, which are founded in a false perception of self importance, greed, pride, arrogance, and unrighteous indignation.

To recount the circumstances surrounding the incident in Numbers 12 here is not to “menial-ize” Aaron and Miriam’s disobedience and lack of submission to God with a question like, “How do we apply this to our daily life?” We deal here with the seriousness of the fully authoritative, holy, and righteous God who determines our purpose. This cannot be simply pointed at as “a lesson” and passed over, but considered fully in light of God’s truths that surround His perfect supremacy and complete authority. We are not required to simply learn a lesson in this, but to look to He who expects our full submission to His will in complete obedience to His command.

God will apply to our lives that measure and the understanding that is required to overcome in a situation like Moses’, but keep in mind that it is He who overcomes in all our circumstances. He did that in Moses’ circumstance and Moses relied on God to do that for him. As a sinful human being, he could not. Neither can we.

Purpose, Plan, and Acknowledgement of God’s Working

Moses may have seemed weak in character and faithfulness to God as Miriam and Aaron looked upon him, but he was not. They miscalculated God and attempted to damage Moses in the process. God shielded Moses for His purpose and we would do well to remember that when considering God’s protective nature as He works out His purpose and plan in our lives.

After they all passed away this was said of Moses. Had Miriam and Aaron years earlier taken this description (or seen it in who Moses was in relation to God as he performed all that God had charged him with) to heart as they traveled, ate, slept, followed, and worshipped with Moses they may have thought twice about questioning God’s authority and their role in relation to Him:

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.” Deuteronomy 34:9-12 (ESV)

[1] 1 John 3:20 (ESV)

[2] Hebrews 10:31 (ESV)

2010
10/25
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CATEGORY
Biblical Study
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On the Word: “..preparing your minds for action…”

Pouring over the words contained in the Bible can bring so many things to light with each passing moment. Reading God’s holy word can renew your mind and spirit like nothing else can. It can lift you up as you see and hear in it the living words of God’s counsel to man. On each page is revealed Christ Jesus’ purpose in that He “came into the world to save sinners.”*

There is also with these listed above a full sense of conviction as one throws him or herself into an honest reading of scripture. Just as reading the Bible can lift you, it does bring complete heartbreak. This heartbreak is intentional as the Holy Spirit works with the individual to gain understanding about their sins and the sacrificial work of Christ Jesus, God’s character, grace, mercy, righteousness, and holiness.

When the word is read properly it reveals the primary message behind Christ Jesus’ purpose to you as mentioned above, and when that purpose is fully ingested it should send you, ALL OF US, to the floor, prostrate, before a wholly merciful, grace filled, righteous, and holy God. ALL OF US are those who Paul says, “have turned aside; together [we] have become worthless; no one does good, not even one”.**

The majesty and magnificence of God, His purpose and plan, and the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of His Son contained in that purpose and plan is screamed from every letter, line, and passage in the Bible. It is primary to our ability to function as those who believe in and follow Jesus. Paul puts the abilities to function as a Christian into perspective and he includes the “word of God” in the process.

“13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:13-20 (ESV) Emphasis Added

Of course, we must be very careful to explain that it is not the Bible in and of itself that “lives”. The written word is not to be deified. It is God who lives and is to be worshipped alone. Rather, God is magnified through the reading of it, providing us with crucial pieces to understanding an incomprehensible God and in the process equipping us as believers in an unbelieving world.

Without this precious God given record we would lack specific knowledge about God. As we immerse ourselves in the writings found in the Bible, just like the passage from Ephesians above, the living God through the Holy Spirit infuses those who are called to follow the living Christ with a godly and righteous perspective on life lived here and in that life to come.

Take some time to immerse yourself in the word of God, and not just a few minutes a day, but throughout the whole of your day. If you are a follower of Christ Jesus then you know you have a responsibility to do so and that responsibility cannot be passive. You are encouraged to pursue it aggressively, so that you may be totally prepared.

You are left with these words from Peter as you fully engage the holy, majestic and wholly righteous God through His written word.

“13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:13-25 (ESV)

*1 Timothy 1:15, **Romans 3:12

2010
10/19
POSTED BY
CATEGORY
Worship Him
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