Can’t I stick to ‘This is the way I’ve always done it’?

 

1 Chronicles 13–14; Amos 8; Luke 3; James 1

 In biblical order, the last verse in today’s readings says that pure religion concerns itself with needy people and with keeping myself unstained from the world. Our small group has been discussing idolatry for the past couple of weeks and how the world is full of it, not so much little statues and shrines but putting all sorts of things ahead of God. I’ve been thinking that doing anything without consulting Him suggests that I am trusting myself, my own judgment and abilities. Is this idolatry? Is it worldly? Likely both.

Today’s example of how to avoid it is the way David began his reign in Israel when an enemy army attacked:

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went out against them. Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. (1 Chronicles 14:8–11)

David made no decisions on strategy for this battle without consulting God. Moreover, when a second attack came, he did not assume that God’s plan would be the same as the first one:

And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. (1 Chronicles 14:13–16)

How easy to think that because something worked the first time, I should do the same thing the second time. This may be His will, however as I rely on God I’m discovering in a deeper and more comprehensive way that His mercies are “new every morning.” This suggests going to His Word and seeking Him in prayer every morning — for everything I do.

Examples: safety when driving, wisdom for each decision, skill in the kitchen, focus on artistic projects, the ability to sleep well, the right attitude when someone calls or messages me, patience when interrupted and so on. I also cannot assume that what worked yesterday will work today. It might (how many ways can I brush my teeth?) but no matter what it is, I need His enabling grace.

God is faithful to tell me what else I need too. Today He speaks about seeking His strategies for all of life, including that big one; how to keep myself unstained from the world. What is worldliness? The Bible defines it as attitudes and motivations as well as things:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

How do I live without those fleshy and sinful desires? By paying attention to what God says, reading it, doing it, loving His thoughts and strategies, being content.

Part of today’s readings is a warning made to the OT people. In my mind, this would be a disaster worse than any other and one that I pray will never happen to me or any of God’s people. Amos wrote:

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it. (Amos 8:11–12)

APPLY: Ask God’s forgiveness for so many actions taken without consulting Him. Ask constantly for grace and the focus to seek His will in every task on my to-do list and everything that comes up as interruptions or opportunities. May I be alert to His voice, appreciate the clarity of His Word, and be more like David — not assuming or letting the way I’ve always done something become a habit without first checking it out with my Savior.