God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Num 23:19)
Balak, king of Moab, called the pagan prophet Balaam to curse Israel. Amazingly, the Spirit of God came on Balaam and he prophesied not curses for Israel but blessings. So what did Balak do? Again he commanded Balaam to curse Israel and again, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, Balaam blessed Israel. He also rebuked Balak with the words of this verse. Balak should have heeded the rebuke, but a third time he commanded Balaam and once more Balaam uttered a blessing, more powerful than the two before.
Balak thought he would be rewarded for his persistence and his many sacrifices, but he missed one basic point. If what we are asking contradicts God’s plan or his Word, no amount of pleading is going to change God’s mind. As a pagan, Balak thought he could manipulate the gods by bribes and flattery, but the one true God is not like that. In him there is no shadow of turning. (James 1:17) God says, “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” (Is 46:10) He is our Sovereign Lord, and it is our job to be conformed to his will, not the other way around. Lord, help me to see when my desires are out of alignment with your perfect will. I will pray with Jesus, “Yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Lk 22:42) I trust your plan for my life, born of your perfect knowledge, wisdom and goodness. Amen.
Showing posts with label plan of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plan of God. Show all posts
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Trail of Trials
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. (Ex 13:17-18)
Ever wonder how God chooses the path he leads us on? It should be obvious by this point in our lives that it’s not the easiest or shortest path. We can see that in this passage. If you are in Egypt and you want to get to Canaan, the easiest and quickest way is to follow the Mediterranean coast up through Philistine country. You certainly wouldn’t strike out across the desert toward the Red Sea. Even if you could figure out how to cross it you would find yourself in the desolate Sinai. In fact, by leading them to the shores of the Red Sea God led them, on purpose, into a trap. With the sea before them and the army of Pharaoh behind them they were in need of a miracle – which was precisely God’s plan! That day God miraculously defeated both the army and the sea. By taking them on this path, what did God accomplish?
Lord, I know you go behind me and before me. You mark out a path for me that is wiser than I can imagine. It is a path full of trials, but they are the trials you have chosen for me. There are other trials I am not ready to face, but you have chosen these trials for me so that I may learn to depend on you. You are my provision and my protection. I will trust in you. Amen.
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (Ps 48:14)
Ever wonder how God chooses the path he leads us on? It should be obvious by this point in our lives that it’s not the easiest or shortest path. We can see that in this passage. If you are in Egypt and you want to get to Canaan, the easiest and quickest way is to follow the Mediterranean coast up through Philistine country. You certainly wouldn’t strike out across the desert toward the Red Sea. Even if you could figure out how to cross it you would find yourself in the desolate Sinai. In fact, by leading them to the shores of the Red Sea God led them, on purpose, into a trap. With the sea before them and the army of Pharaoh behind them they were in need of a miracle – which was precisely God’s plan! That day God miraculously defeated both the army and the sea. By taking them on this path, what did God accomplish?
- They saw God’s final, miraculous triumph over their Egyptian slave masters.
- They were in a desolate region where they were utterly dependent on God for food and water. And
- There was absolutely no way they could turn back because the Sea was now between them and Egypt!
Lord, I know you go behind me and before me. You mark out a path for me that is wiser than I can imagine. It is a path full of trials, but they are the trials you have chosen for me. There are other trials I am not ready to face, but you have chosen these trials for me so that I may learn to depend on you. You are my provision and my protection. I will trust in you. Amen.
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (Ps 48:14)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
From Prince to Frog
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. (Ex 3:1a)
In the fairy tales, the princess kisses the frog and he turns into a handsome prince. In the story of Moses, it seems at first as though God has it backwards. He takes Moses, a prince of Egypt, and turns him into a shepherd. Shepherding was a lowly profession in Egypt. Gen 46:34 tells us that shepherds were despised by the Egyptians. Imagine what Moses must have thought about the turn his life had taken. He was the prince whom God had turned into a frog! Or so it seemed. But God had a different idea. He had a bigger plan for Moses than being a pampered royal prince in Egypt. After 40 years of shepherding sheep, he was ready to be a shepherd of God’s people.
How often do I misunderstand the turns my life has taken? Illnesses, failures, disappointments – they don’t seem like the stuff of a great master plan for my life. But they are! Every hardship and every failure, if I’m willing to learn from them, molds me into the kind of man God can use for his glory. Lord, I am willing to learn. Redeem my failures by teaching me to be your obedient disciple. Lead me through the hard times and train me up as a man of faith to be your witness. Thank you, Lord, for your great plan for my life. Amen.
In the fairy tales, the princess kisses the frog and he turns into a handsome prince. In the story of Moses, it seems at first as though God has it backwards. He takes Moses, a prince of Egypt, and turns him into a shepherd. Shepherding was a lowly profession in Egypt. Gen 46:34 tells us that shepherds were despised by the Egyptians. Imagine what Moses must have thought about the turn his life had taken. He was the prince whom God had turned into a frog! Or so it seemed. But God had a different idea. He had a bigger plan for Moses than being a pampered royal prince in Egypt. After 40 years of shepherding sheep, he was ready to be a shepherd of God’s people.
How often do I misunderstand the turns my life has taken? Illnesses, failures, disappointments – they don’t seem like the stuff of a great master plan for my life. But they are! Every hardship and every failure, if I’m willing to learn from them, molds me into the kind of man God can use for his glory. Lord, I am willing to learn. Redeem my failures by teaching me to be your obedient disciple. Lead me through the hard times and train me up as a man of faith to be your witness. Thank you, Lord, for your great plan for my life. Amen.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
God's Amazing Plan for Us
In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure. (Gen 15:16)
What an amazing plan God has for us! We often wonder why he lets bad things happen. These things don't take God by surprise. He has planned them for centuries. And not only does he have a good reason for them, he often has two or three good reasons!
In this passage, God is making a covenant with Abram. He has promised to make Abram’s descendants into a great nation. But he also tells Abram his descendants will be slaves in another country for 400 years. That part sounds bad. Who wants to suffer for 400 years? Of course, we know in hindsight that Israel's bondage in Egypt and miraculous deliverance was God’s plan to forge them into a nation. Even more, their experience in Egypt was a type (a foreshadowing) of our deliverance in Christ. But God had yet another reason.
We know that when Israel entered the Promised Land it was the fulfillment of God’s promised blessing for them. But sometimes we forget that it was also his execution of judgment on the Canaanites for their many sins. God tells Abram his descendants will be in bondage for 400 years because “the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” Here we see that Israel’s suffering in Egypt had yet another purpose – to show God's mercy to the Amorites! He is going to give them an extra 400 years to repent of their sins. Even though God knew that ultimately they would not repent, in his mercy he desired to give them every opportunity. He is not hasty in judgment.
God weaves all of these many different purposes into the beautiful tapestry of his plan for our lives. When I wonder why God allows suffering in my life, or in the life of a friend, I can be confident that he has a deep and worthy purpose in it.
What an amazing plan God has for us! We often wonder why he lets bad things happen. These things don't take God by surprise. He has planned them for centuries. And not only does he have a good reason for them, he often has two or three good reasons!
In this passage, God is making a covenant with Abram. He has promised to make Abram’s descendants into a great nation. But he also tells Abram his descendants will be slaves in another country for 400 years. That part sounds bad. Who wants to suffer for 400 years? Of course, we know in hindsight that Israel's bondage in Egypt and miraculous deliverance was God’s plan to forge them into a nation. Even more, their experience in Egypt was a type (a foreshadowing) of our deliverance in Christ. But God had yet another reason.
We know that when Israel entered the Promised Land it was the fulfillment of God’s promised blessing for them. But sometimes we forget that it was also his execution of judgment on the Canaanites for their many sins. God tells Abram his descendants will be in bondage for 400 years because “the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” Here we see that Israel’s suffering in Egypt had yet another purpose – to show God's mercy to the Amorites! He is going to give them an extra 400 years to repent of their sins. Even though God knew that ultimately they would not repent, in his mercy he desired to give them every opportunity. He is not hasty in judgment.
God weaves all of these many different purposes into the beautiful tapestry of his plan for our lives. When I wonder why God allows suffering in my life, or in the life of a friend, I can be confident that he has a deep and worthy purpose in it.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Fighting the Wrong Battle
Jesus commanded Peter “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (Jn 18:11)
For Peter, the night that ended in betrayal began with a brave but foolhardy act. Taking a sword, he tried to defend Jesus from the crowd that came to arrest him. But Peter was fighting the wrong battle. This was the path Jesus had planned to walk from the beginning. It was the path for which he had prepared himself as he agonized in prayer that night. Jesus had come to do battle for the souls of men. Peter thought he had come to restore the kingdom of Israel. (Acts 1:6)
How often am I working against God’s plan because I misunderstand his purposes? Peter thought he needed to save Jesus, but he almost kept Jesus from saving Peter. When our children were little they always wanted to “help” us, which of course meant twice as big a mess and twice as long to clean up. Lord, do I make messes you have to clean up when I’m only trying to help? Give me the wisdom and understanding to see how you are working in each situation and be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Amen.
How often am I working against God’s plan because I misunderstand his purposes? Peter thought he needed to save Jesus, but he almost kept Jesus from saving Peter. When our children were little they always wanted to “help” us, which of course meant twice as big a mess and twice as long to clean up. Lord, do I make messes you have to clean up when I’m only trying to help? Give me the wisdom and understanding to see how you are working in each situation and be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Amen.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Plan of Redemption
He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation. They do not know his laws. (Ps 147:19-20a)
God in his wisdom chose one nation – the nation of Israel – through which to reveal himself. Actually he started with one man, Abraham, making a covenant with him that his descendents would become a great nation. Abraham is our spiritual father. God chose him, and from that humble beginning unfolded the great history of his redemptive work in the world. Lord, thank you that you revealed yourself to Abraham and made a covenant with his descendents. Thank you for Moses and all the prophets. And thank you that you chose to become incarnate in Jesus Christ to complete your revelation of yourself to us. Thank you that through the cross we can be reconciled to you and that through your Scriptures we can come to know you. Thank you that you have been working to fulfill your plan for thousands of years to gather a people to yourself. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
God in his wisdom chose one nation – the nation of Israel – through which to reveal himself. Actually he started with one man, Abraham, making a covenant with him that his descendents would become a great nation. Abraham is our spiritual father. God chose him, and from that humble beginning unfolded the great history of his redemptive work in the world. Lord, thank you that you revealed yourself to Abraham and made a covenant with his descendents. Thank you for Moses and all the prophets. And thank you that you chose to become incarnate in Jesus Christ to complete your revelation of yourself to us. Thank you that through the cross we can be reconciled to you and that through your Scriptures we can come to know you. Thank you that you have been working to fulfill your plan for thousands of years to gather a people to yourself. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Playing a Deep Game
So, then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler of all Egypt. (Gen 45:8)
God’s plans are really deep! Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. That certainly seems like it would not be God’s will. But God was able to turn it to good in a miraculous way. Joseph became ruler of all Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. Then God sent famine, which brought Joseph’s starving brothers to Egypt. But Joseph treated them with honor. Instead of starving to death in Canaan, they were allowed to move to Egypt and live in the rich land of Goshen. What an amazing turn of events! But God’s plan was even deeper. In later years, a new Pharaoh came to rule over Egypt who oppressed them and made them slaves. All of these events were an essential prelude to the coming of Moses and the miraculous Exodus from Egypt. And this event became the defining moment for the people of Israel. From it God made a new covenant and forged a nation that 1400 years later gave birth to the Messiah. It was the Exodus that created the enduring national identity of the Jews, which has persisted down through the years even to today. And none of it would have been possible if Joseph had not been sold into slavery in Egypt. God plays a really deep game!
God’s plans are really deep! Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. That certainly seems like it would not be God’s will. But God was able to turn it to good in a miraculous way. Joseph became ruler of all Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. Then God sent famine, which brought Joseph’s starving brothers to Egypt. But Joseph treated them with honor. Instead of starving to death in Canaan, they were allowed to move to Egypt and live in the rich land of Goshen. What an amazing turn of events! But God’s plan was even deeper. In later years, a new Pharaoh came to rule over Egypt who oppressed them and made them slaves. All of these events were an essential prelude to the coming of Moses and the miraculous Exodus from Egypt. And this event became the defining moment for the people of Israel. From it God made a new covenant and forged a nation that 1400 years later gave birth to the Messiah. It was the Exodus that created the enduring national identity of the Jews, which has persisted down through the years even to today. And none of it would have been possible if Joseph had not been sold into slavery in Egypt. God plays a really deep game!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Real Message of Revelation
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. (Rev 1:1)
What are we to see in Revelation? I've always struggled to understand this book. It is filled with many strange images and symbols. There are as many interpretations of it as there are interpreters. What is the point? This is what we see:
What are we to see in Revelation? I've always struggled to understand this book. It is filled with many strange images and symbols. There are as many interpretations of it as there are interpreters. What is the point? This is what we see:
- First and foremost, we see the sovereignty of God over his creation.
- We see God’s glory and power and majesty.
- We see his justice, in that there will be a day of judgment. No sin will ultimately go unpunished.
- We see that God has a plan and a purpose for his creation. History has a direction and an end, which God has already ordained.
- We see God’s great wrath against sin.
- We see that our enemy, the accuser of the brethren, will finally be completely overthrown, cast down, and locked up forever.
- We see God’s great love for the saints.
- We see that we have a bright and glorious future with him, forever and ever.
- We see the restoration of our complete, unhindered fellowship with God, which was lost in the Garden of Eden.
- We see the restoration of all that was lost, the healing of every wound, and the banishment of sorrow and pain forever.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Get with the Program
Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. (Ps 127:1)
Our job is to align ourselves with God’s program, and not the other way around. If we labor toward our own goals it will be in vain – often because we fail outright, but always because our work will not stand the test of fire. (See 1 Cor 3:13.)
Our job is to align ourselves with God’s program, and not the other way around. If we labor toward our own goals it will be in vain – often because we fail outright, but always because our work will not stand the test of fire. (See 1 Cor 3:13.)
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Not How I Would Have Planned It
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. (Acts 8:4)
I suspect they never realized what role this persecution played in spreading the Gospel. Maybe they did later, looking back. But at the time, it must have looked like a complete disaster. We have no way to know how God is going to use the hardships and trials of our lives. But we must trust him, knowing that he is Good and he is Sovereign, so everything he allows to happen is part of his plan.
I suspect they never realized what role this persecution played in spreading the Gospel. Maybe they did later, looking back. But at the time, it must have looked like a complete disaster. We have no way to know how God is going to use the hardships and trials of our lives. But we must trust him, knowing that he is Good and he is Sovereign, so everything he allows to happen is part of his plan.
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