Acceptance

Scripture:

Numbers 10, 11

Psalm 27

A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
² When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
³ Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.

Observations:

There is a common theory dancing through the courts of Christian culture.  In an apparent rebellion of dysfunctional church hierarchies, we, the church, has moved to a more democratic structure.  While this certainly fits a progressive governmental process, it isn’t modeled in the Bible.

Last week, at a leadership gathering, one of the people asked, “Well,” he said, “Can’t God speak to us as well as He can to you?”

Now, there’s really no easy way to answer that question without coming across as arrogant, power-hungry, and maybe even dismissive.  But the fact of the matter is, God works through leaders to accomplish His purposes.  Sometimes these leaders are in official capacities (e.g. David as the King of Israel), and sometimes these leaders are “unofficial” (e.g. Jonathan when he and his armorbearer attacked the Philistines).  But one of my favorite examples of how an unofficial leader operates, in the face of the annointed leaders, is when David refused to attack Saul, when they were in the cave.

I have no doubt that God brought me to Columbia County to lead.  I have no doubt that I am imperfect, and I’ve made mistakes (for which I’ve repented and asked forgiveness).  But it is quite apparent to me that others don’t see this so clearly.  I don’t believe it is my place to correct them.

Applications:

I really relate to several of Moses’ laments in the above texts.  First, he asks God “why did he have to bear the burdens of these people?“  Then, he pleads with God to deal with these folks.  But, it isn’t until much later in Moses’ maturation process that he pleads with God to take him, in order to atone for the sins of the people.  I see this as the capstone of Moses’ spiritual growth.  This is where he begins to represent Jesus.

Until I can learn to absorb and deflect the complaints, attacks, and gossip of the people, I’m not their leader.  Until I can be willing to suffer for their sins, I am unable to stand in the gap for them.

Prayer:

Father God, continue to humble me, break me, and teach me.  Give me strength, courage, and hope.

Hesitation

Scripture:

Numbers 32:6 Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, “Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here? 7 Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the LORD has given them? 8 This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look over the land.

Observations:

Most people don’t consider themselves leaders, nor do they see how their actions affect others. However, Moses made it clear to the Gadites and Reubenites, “Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over…?” Although they come to a compromise, it is clear that these laggarts have a discouraging influence on the others.

Applications:

As a leader, when I ask the led to do something, I am very aware of how group dynamics plays out. When the leaders with credibility stand up, others follow. When leaders with credibility don’t stand, the masses don’t either. But I see how even the non-followers have influence also.

As American’s, born into the principles of “freedom” and the right to the “pursuit of happiness” we don’t want anyone to have “control” over us. We think that our lives are independent of others. We believe that we can do whatever we want, and no one else will be affected. That simply is untrue. Our lives are like walking billboards – we project a lifestyle and attitude to everyone and anyone we have contact with.

We are told that Lot’s wife hesitated, and was turned into a pillar of salt, because of her husband’s hesitation. What an incredible burden to carry.

How can I get others to see this?

Prayer:

Father God, teach me to be a leader. Teach me to speak your vision in concrete terms.

The Kingdom of God is ????

Scripture:

Mark 9:1 And he said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.^{[and fasting]}“

50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Observations:

Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God coming with power, before some standing there (and hearing this comment) “taste” death. Six days later, the transfiguration occurs. Is this it? Is this the Kingdom?

Then, coming off the mountain, Jesus confronts a controversy and casts a demon out of a boy. The disciples ask why they were unable to do this and Jesus talks about their desire. It only comes with “much fasting and prayer” he says. Is this the Kingdom of God?

Then Jesus talks about being salty. To be flavor, to preserve, to enhance, to impact – there are many interpretations and analogies to be made here. However, if we, as disciples are salty and make an impact, are we not bringing the Kingdom in power to the rest of the world? Is this the Kingdom?

I do not believe it is any accident that these texts are linked together.

Application(s):

Too many Christians are so focused on the ever after, the afterlife, the Heaven experience, and the Second-coming that they miss the true value of the Kingdom of God. It isn’t so much to enhance my life as it is to enhance God’s presence in a world that has turned their back on Him. God told Moses that He is the “I Am.” Yet, the world tells themselves that it is all about “me.” As God is revealed in the lives of others, their lives are changed, but better yet, God’s character is vindicated.

As we learn to worship, pray, fast, and truly experience God, the Universe experiences the Kingdom of God with power, and glory, and grace, and love. This is the power of the Kingdom.

It isn’t about me, my tasks, or my agenda. Today, and only today, because I must take one day at a time, I must submit to God’s agenda for my life.

Prayer:

Father God. “Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping, into the future.” I have the best of intentions, but those intentions are “like ropes of sand.” It is a vicious cycle that drives me into busyness, missed sleep opportunities, and broken/damaged relationships (with you, my family, and others). Today is all I have and I must submit to You.

He says:  “I am your God.”

gw

Staying the Course

Scripture:

Numbers 2:34 NLT So the people of Israel did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the LORD had instructed them.

Acts 24:20-21 NLT Ask these men here what wrongdoing the Jewish high council [122] found in me, ..21.. except for one thing I said when I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”

Observations:

Two texts leap out at me in today’s reading. The first is the from Numbers referring to the obedience of the Israelites. The second, is Paul’s understanding of why he is imprisoned. Here is what I see:

The obedience of the Jews is required by God, led by Moses, and respected by the people. As long as they obeyed, they progressed in their faith and journey. It is only when they disobeyed that they begin to suffer consequences.

Paul showed this kind of obedience when he preached what God asked him to preach. It caused persecution, imprisonment, and <sigh> trials (pun intended), but it also provided great opportunities. This imprisonment issue eventually led to Paul taking the Gospel directly into Rome, but we will save that for later chapters. However, as we see in today’s texts, he was able to share his faith with Felix and his wife over and over; for two years.

Application(s):

It is so easy to get discouraged, depressed, and subdued when we are imprisoned by our circumstances. But Paul never let that happen. Throughout the book of Acts, we find him singing praises and hymns while in jail, we find him ministering to broken jailers while he is still in chains, and we find him boldly professing his faith (e.g. “I believe in the resurrection of the dead”) while testifying to the high officials.

Paul does not let his circumstances dictate his mission, vision, and values. He has surrendered that to God and is unwavering in his quest to free others from the bondage of sin.

I sometimes aspire for the kind of drive and unyielding faith Paul exhibited. I long for the type of Damascus Road experience he went through – yet, strangely, I don’t know if that was a “fun” experience. I imagine, like Isaiah’s experience recorded in the sixth chapter of his book, it was terrifying. However, it certainly left a lasting impression upon those men and changed the course and velocity of their lives.

Maybe, like most of my relationships, based on the way I’m built, the slow, steady building of my relationship with God is the best approach. Maybe? Hmmm… me thinks that my Father knows best and that I should leave the course, trajectory, and velocity of our relationship in His hands.

Prayer:

Father God. I am being disobedient, on many levels. I excuse my abuses due to stress, tiredness, lack of sleep, change, kids, babies, workload, etc, et cetera. Hogwash!

It is time to repent and get disciplined. Forgive me Lord – I’m ready to move forward.