God has the answers . . .

 

Because the essence of sin is “going our own way” rather than living God’s way, and since all are sinners, we can fall into the idea that our problems can be solved by us or an ‘expert’ or advisor, and the Bible is not sufficient for many things.

Coming from a person who is learning to pray about everything, I’m finding that God is my sufficiency, and His Word tells me why and how. Relying on Him 100% is not easy though. I aced it through school, two degrees, and many problems so it is easy to trust myself, but God says:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5–8)

In this passage, relying on God instead of myself is even related to physical health. Other passages show that trusting the Lord can mean success and prosperity, and even if it doesn’t, that trust changes our lives in many ways. It brings joy in trials and gives us access to incredible wisdom.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22–24)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:2–5)

King David of Israel knew the reality that God’s ways are sufficient for every issue of life. This is what he said, and I believe it too:

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:7–14)

David may not have prayed for parking places like I sometimes do but he knew the sufficiency of God’s Word and His ways. I can pray with confidence for His help because I know who He is by reading His book. I can also pray for others, like those suffering in current conflicts in far-away places, or for His workers on the other side of the world, even those I only know by their requests. I know this because the Bible tells me so.

I also know that God’s Word keeps my heart in peace, even when everything around me is chaos. I cannot do that my myself. I need Jesus and I need His Book.

PRAY: Jesus, for some people, money, a strong ethic, a high IQ or a winning personality might get them where they want to go, but there are no blessings like those You give when I live for You and do what You ask. Your Word is perfect and certain, helping me through every struggle or challenge of life. Help me always appreciate and rest fully in Your gracious provision.

PONDER: List the terms from Psalm 19:1–14 that describe God’s word and think about the way He uses it in my life. Be deeply thankful for all that the Bible does for me.

 

 

Doing whatever I please is not very wise . . .

Numbers 22:1–41, 1 Corinthians 5:1–6:11, Psalm 19:1–14

The story of Balaam was a considerable puzzle for me for a long time. He was asked by the king of Moab to curse the Israelites because they were a threat to him. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” (Numbers 22:4–6)

Then God came to Balaam and asked him what was going on, as if He didn’t know! Obviously, He wanted to hear Balaam’s description. Balaam replied, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me. Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’ ”

At that, God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:9–12)

This was not the end of the story. Balaam did say no, but Balak sent his men back to him and asked him again. So Balaam asked God about it, and God said, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.”

Then the narrative says, “Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.” (Numbers 22:20–22)

God told him not to go, then told him to go, then was angry with him because he went? For a long time, that did not make sense to me, but I think I understand now. The second time Balaam asked God should not have happened. God already told the man not to go, but He knew this man’s heart. If Balaam had been loyal to the Lord, he would never have asked the second time. So God tested him by saying yes to see what he would do. Balaam went.

But an angel blocked his way, and after realizing he was not to go, Balaam seemed more yielded to the command of God. God let him go at this third time, but this man was not trustworthy.

Other passages say that Balaam actually was willing to do the cursing. The Moabites “hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.” (Nehemiah 13:1–2) The NT said Balaam was in error, perhaps because he thought he could do whatever he pleased, regardless of what God says.

He isn’t the only person ever to be like that. Actually, we are all like that. We go our own way. But thankfully, God changes lives. Paul wrote to the immature Christians at Corinth a letter of rebuke. Part of it says . . .

“I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers! Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:5–11)

Paul’s accusation of ‘shame on you’ turned into a warning about deception, then a reminder of what God had done for them. They had been guilty of much, but now they were cleansed, set apart, justified — because of Jesus Christ. Paul’s point was that those who profess faith will demonstrate their faith with changed lives. We may start out slow, but God is in the transformation business. Even if nothing else works, the Spirit of God does work.

Certainly, His working is quicker and more effective when I cooperate, but I realize that many times I’m blind to what needs to be done. I might think my biggest flaw is grumbling and He shows me something else. The psalmist also knew this tendency to be blind to our own sins. He prayed, “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:12–14)

This last line is often my lifeline. I’m slow to get it, like Balaam, and easily deceived like the people at Corinth. I’m also totally grateful for Jesus. He is my Savior — I most certainly cannot see my own sins, never mind save myself!