Respect God's Decisions

Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him. Do this: take censers, Korah and all his company; put fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord tomorrow, and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!” And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also? Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. (Numbers 16:1-11)

It happens these days; a congregation decides the leaders God appointed did everything wrong and they wanted to be treated as leaders themselves. Reading the rest of the story shows what God thinks of such behavior. He was angry, separated those who grumbled from the rest, then opened up the earth and swallowed the whole works, including their wives and children.

I’ve known of a church where the congregation was so difficult that their pastor committed suicide. Some leaders are dismissed, kindly or otherwise. Some just leave. The above passage says that the rebellion was actually against God's choice. Moses was not teaching false doctrine, or taking advantage of anyone. The problem was not with their leader but their desire to rule their own lives.

I know how that feels when trouble hits. Impatience wants it fixed, now. Yet God gave me two verses as a new Christian and these thoughts have made a difference. He will not let me forget His plans for me:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

After moving many times and attending many churches, I’ve seen that the Lord can use even poor preachers to teach me something. His goal is transformation — and Jesus never rebelled against anything that others would want fixed. Instead, He died for our sins.

The OT rebelled against God and He had every right to destroy them. He could do that to me also, but instead He sent Jesus who was swallowed up by death that I might live, that I might experience “all things” including the tough stuff so He could replicate Himself in me.

Jesus, how important to respect and learn from Your choices. I could complain — and be swallowed up by worldly and sinful values. I could grumble about a lot of things, complaining and demanding their removal. Doing that would totally miss the point of why You bring challenges into my life. Thank You for reminding me again to be thankful and trust You, no matter what. 

Praise rather than protest...

 

Yesterday’s reminders about being thankful and that being thankful is the will of God, also reminded me of how easily I complain. Today’s reading reminds me again, that even the smallest dissatisfaction is finding fault with the Lord. He is sovereign and nothing escapes His notice or is out of His control. How dare I criticize the God I profess to love.

Examples: My toe hurts. It is too windy. The sun is too bright. The day is filled with interruptions. My cousin talks too much. I can’t find shoes to fit my narrow heels. The pizza is too salty.

Need I go on? Do these get excused because they are not about the ‘big’ things like corruption in the market place, drunk drivers, the seductive power of false teachers, or the floods and fires that ruin lives? Do I rate all these things like some people rate sin and make some excusable and others so disgusting that they are almost unmentionable and candidates for a self-righteous declaration such as, “At least I don’t do that”?

Every complaint I make is a verbal insult to God, a declaration that He is not doing His job the way I think He should. It isn’t that God needs me to affirm Him or His wisdom — He knows what He is doing and knows it is perfect. The problem is with me. I can easily talk and act like a spoiled child who wants all things done to suit her likes and dislikes.

What is the cure for such foolishness? I have written in a prayer request notebook that I cannot sin and praise God at the same time. Today’s reading affirms that by pointing out how many times the Bible tells readers to praise and thank Him. The word “praise” is used more than 230 times. Worship is used nearly 200 times, “thanks” and its variations about 130 times. Complain and grumble appear only 40-50 times and is criticized or expressed negatively in every one of those verses.

God saves His people from our enemies. Imagine complaining about that! He heals and blesses us. Do I not thank Him and only complain for more? How ignorant and wrong to think my wants are more important than His will or His wisdom.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant! (Psalm 135:3)

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:3)

Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power. (Psalm 21:13)

At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. (Psalm 119:62)

God is to be praised for what He does and for who He is. He is Lord of all, loves all, is righteous and good, and sovereign. He also says: “I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7)

This leaves me with nothing to criticize. He knows what He is doing, even if to me it doesn’t seem right or I’ve no clue why some things happen. My role is to trust Him and declare that trust in praise.

PRAY: Today is a new day. It will be filled with all sorts of things. Will my reactions to each one be trust, faith, praise? Or will I doubt and complain? I know that Your Holy Spirit does not produce those sinful reactions. I also know how much I need to be filled with Your Spirit so that I am not sinning by grumbling or even thinking that You do not know what You are doing. Keep me in Your will — thankful and trusting You with all things, including all calamities —along with the well-beings that seem so much easier to praise.

Fickle? Or just Foolish?

 

READ Matthew 5–8

The world values people who are strong, happy, stand up for themselves, give others what they deserve, are not so perfect to be a total threat, and are popular with everyone. God’s value system is somewhat different. He says,

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:3–12)

While this list is often extolled, when it comes down to it, people who fill that description get crucified. No one really likes total goodness. It mocks us without saying a word, shows us up for what we really are — creatures who are sinful and selfish without Christ.

He calls such a condition “salt that has lost its taste” and is “no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet” even though those who are salty are often treated with less regard! No wonder Jesus later said:

But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ (Matthew 11:16–19)

We all know people who complain about everything. One woman complained when they went out that they never stayed home, and when they stayed home that they never went out. The problem was not their social calendar or lack of it; the problem was discontent, never being satisfied, plus being self-centered and thinking that someone, even God, should satisfy all desires.

Jesus goes on to explain the will of God concerning common human issues like anger, lust, broken relationships, oaths, retaliation, enemies, and needy people. He tells His disciples how to pray without hypocrisy, another human problem.

He does not stay long on those deadly negatives, following them with instructions about fasting and eternal values, then explains why no one needs to worry about daily needs, “For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:32–33)

How amazing that Jesus promises all the necessities of life, the things most people are anxious about, yet so many would rather say no to that and run their own lives, often complaining about the problems of gaining life’s necessities. Anything but let this man who is God rule over them.

Jesus has much to say about relationships too. We are not to judge others as if we don’t have problems ourselves, often the same problems they have! He says to ask for what we need so we can live like He does and treat others the way He treats us. He also says that living His way puts our lives in a solid place, safe from the erosions of life because of listening to Him and doing life His way.

Jesus proved His power and identity by cleansing lepers, healing the sick, calming stormy weather, and casting demons out of those possessed. And how did people react? Some marveled, some made excuses to walk away, and some “begged him to leave” town — all with the attitude that as amazing as Jesus is, ruling our own lives is better.

Lord, seeing myself in all this makes me feel like an idiot for all the times I ignore You and don’t listen. Knowing You love me and died for my sin, that You forgive all unreliability and forgetfulness and pour out abundant blessings is all the more incredible. I’ve no words large enough to express my gratitude and praise Your name.