In the first selection from this series on
murmuring, we discussed how, through faith, God intends that we use the Spirit
to correctly deal with complaining and the influences it has on our lives.
We looked at how, like Moses, we need consultation and leading from God
to overcome Satan’s strategy for us to assign blame and speak using scornful
complaints. In this, the second installment, we will analyze what God
dictates we shall and shall not do, with respect to murmuring. Here, we will
see that there is a plan, which is positive and promised by God.
First, as we continue in Exodus, we see the
Jews still murmuring in the wilderness. The Lord told Moses, “Thou shall consult with the Lord.”
He won’t just take away the murmuring problem, for God is trying to do
something in our lives. When we find ourselves in a negative situation,
we need positive consultation from the Lord. However, with it, we also
get a promise and a plan. God’s positive plan for Moses and the Jews, in
their time of hunger, was to rain bread from heaven. He required that the
Jews exercise faith, in his promise to deliver. We may be content with
our faith, however God is not.
Next, let’s look at the requirement, “Thou shall not leave God out of the
solution.” Here, Moses did not need to solve the problem, as he was
not a problem solver. (This is something we ALL need to remember!) If he were,
the Jews would have looked to him, instead of God. He did do something,
however. He stood back and let God work. We don’t need another
natural solution, but one that is “Supernatural.” Along with God, people
also have a responsibility. We see the Lord’s requirement and plan for
the Israelites in Exodus16, 4-5. He says, “I will rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and
gather a certain rate every day…they shall prepare that which they bring in.”
The blend of the natural and the Supernatural is lost when we fail to see
our part in solving our own problems. Sometimes good leadership requires
us to stand back and let God and people work it out. However, this can be
difficult for some to implement.
Third, the Lord says, “Thou shall focus on God’s purposes.” We ask ourselves, “Why
is this happening? What are You trying to show me?” A leader must
ask the question and look at it the way in which God told Moses, in Exodus
16:4, “…that I may prove (to test or
try) them, whether they walk in my law or
no.” When we have faith and focus on a Spirit-led solution, God’s
purpose can be fulfilled in our lives. The Jews were required to take
only a certain amount of food. Through opportunity and specific
instruction, God could prove (to test or try) the Israelites. Consequently,
if they took too much bread, the Bible says, it grew worms resulting in a foul
odor, which exposed those who were disobedient. God knows what we will
do. He uses this strategy to indicate to us how far we have come in our
relationship with Him.
God’s will is that we obey and trust in Him,
regardless of the situation or compelling desire to rely on ourselves for
provision. As we focus on this purpose for us, we can better understand
what He means in Exodus 16:12, which states, “You shall know that I am the Lord your God.” God’s will for
our lives is not to simply murmur when problems arise, but have faith and trust
in the Lord Jesus Christ…through which all things are possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment