Monday, August 5, 2013

What Happens If God Says NO?

Insight Into the Scriptures - Deut 3-4
As you start to read these next chapters, you may think to yourself that this sounds like a repeat of Numbers. Remember that Moses is telling a new generation of Israelites of their failures and their success.

I came across a nice verse in chapter 4:29- 31"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath."

Scripture Reading
Deuteronomy 3:23-27
23"And I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying, 24'O Lord GOD, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours? 25Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon.' 26But the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the LORD said to me, 'Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again. 27Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and look at it with your eyes, for you shall not go over this Jordan.

Thought for the Day
I always thought when God told Moses, "No, Moses you are not going to enter into the Promised Land". Moses just let it go, he accepted God's plan was for him. But, as I read this passage of scripture, I could really feel Moses frustration.... sadness maybe. The text states that Moses pleaded with God, Moses even tried to "Butter Him Up" by telling God how mighty He was.

But, God responded very sternly. He tells Moses "That is ENOUGH! I do not want to talk about this again". (This leads me to believe that this was not the first time God had heard this plea)

Put yourselves in Moses shoes, you have been promised something, you have been pursuing it for 40 years. Sometimes, it was the only thing keeping you going, knowing that this amazing "thing" awaited you. Then when you finally can see it, almost touch it, maybe even smell it, you lose it, it is gone. How would you react? I think that I might be angry.

Moses had a choice like we do. He could get angry at God and let it effect their relationship, or, he could not agree with it, but accept God's will for his life. Life is like that, you will receive a lot of blessings in your life, but, God is not always going to give you want you want, and He may even take a few things away from you. We must always trust God, we may not like it, but it must not come in between out relationship with Christ.

Closing Prayer
My Heavenly Father,I am reminded today that you are a God that gives and takes away. Lord, my prayer today is to help me be a better Christian. Let me be faithful in the good time and the bad, in the abundant time and the scarce times.Lord, I also want to take a minute to remember the families that were effected the the weather yesterday. Please be with them and comfort them, wrap your arms around them and let them know all is going to be OK.
In Your Name I pray, Amen













No comments: