Whenever I read about the Israelites in the bible, I find myself getting really pissed off with them.
I'm reading through endless of stories of God pouring out His love on them and them turning their backs on Him. Then (either on their own or through God's wrath) realising that they're nothing without God and then asking for forgiveness and turning back to Him.
I'm just thinking, what is wrong with you guys?! You're God's chosen people whom He loves infinitely and you're just there doing wahala.
WHY don't you get it?
WHY would you ever forget how God has been so good to you?
WHY would you continue to slap Him in the face when He has provided you with all that you need and more?
WHY do you treat Him like crap?
But then I stop and it hits me...
I am just like the Israelites. I have been adopted into the family. I am now a part of the chosen. God has called me. God loves me. God delights in me! Yet time after time, I choose the world over Him. Time after time, I try and find happiness in the things of the world. Time after time, I seek acceptance in the approval and favour of man. I create idols in the form of my interests. I belittle God. I put other things before Him. I let myself get the glory when it really belongs to Him. And then I'm reminded by all manner of things that God is sovereign and I'm in desperate need of Him and I turn from the world and leap back into His arms.
Everytime I rediscover Him, He's that little bit more beautiful. But sometimes I wish I'd just be able to stay put, maintain focus and just DWELL in Him.
'He that DWELLS in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.' Not he that's in and out of the secret place as Jonathan's mother once put it.
And I pray that I, like the Israelites, will not be wandering in the desert, taking a ridiculous amount of time to reach the place He has called me to be because of my own stubbornness, disobedience to God or ignorance of Him.
God has started a work in me, and you, and He will bring it to completion. We will see our promised lands.
Many exclamations spring to mind such as "BANNGG" , "JHEEEZZEEE" or "C'MOOONNNNAAAAA". I think we've all been there when reading the OT and thinking they're wastemen, only to realise that we too are sometimes wastemen (and wastewomen) lol. Seriously necessary reminder of the massive need to stay 100% focused on God in every area. Thank you!
ReplyDeletewow! Almost every single word in the second paragraph was for me. Thank u so much!
ReplyDeleteAhh glad it spoke to you. We thank God.
ReplyDelete