Drawn by the Divine
Our experiences have taught us to relate everything back to our own performance. Jesus came to teach us a new way of thinking. A way of thinking where we view all things through the lens of what God has done not what we have done. God does all that He does to draw us closer and fill our hearts with praise that will glorify His Holy Name.
“The people are strong and tall...be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire...he will subdue them before you...After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness...it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people...you brought out by your great power and your outstretched arm.”
Deuteronomy 9:2-4, 6, 10, 16-18, 29
It is almost comical to look at a story like this one with the lens of hindsight. Let's walk through key points. God guides and provides for the people as He takes them towards the promised land. When they are almost to the promised land the people are terrified about the strong opponents that stand in the way and currently occupy the land. Why? Why would people who had been rescued from Egypt, which was the strongest military force in the world at that time, and had been provided food from heaven, suddenly be afraid of people?
God then gives a word of warning. He says I am going to deliver you, but remember that I am the one who wins battles. Do not get prideful or conceited when you see victory and congratulate yourselves on what I have done. Pastor Mark Batterson often echoes the sentiment when he says anything you do not turn to praise turns to pride. Would it not have been funny to record the conversations then play them back? Lord, we are terrified turning into look how great we are!
Are we really that different today? Do we not allow fear to impact the way we feel each day? Do we not worry about the days to come and how things will work out? Do we not quickly forget all the work that God has done after He makes a way forward. Is it not common to allow pride to seep in when we live in times of comfort until the next moment of panic sets in?
“Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race...the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them...the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.”
Psalms 12:1, 5-6
David brings up one major issue and one miraculous truth. David says the people are unfaithful. People lack faith. Even when we have seen God move, we can allow our hearts to be led astray. Think of the parable Jesus told of the sower and the different reasons why the seed did not produce fruit. What is the state of your heart? Are you putting faithfulness to your relationship with God ahead of your fears or the temptations of the world?
David speaks a truth that you can build your life upon today. David shares the foundational truth that God's word is flawless. The enemy of your life wants to twist God's truth and erode your trust. Do you know that you have power when you pray and praise with the words of God? As you point to the divine and stand on His promises you will see victory because you are giving God the glory.
“Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight...Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning...The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:6, 9-10
Solomon says you have a decision. You can keep walking on the simple path, the broad path that leads to destruction, the winding road that relies on your own strength and understanding. Or you can learn to live a life that trusts in God, relies on His faithfulness, and is devoted to the Holy One as Lord of your life. What will you choose?
Are you coachable? How well do you accept feedback or the correction that comes from conviction? To be clear God is never trying to shame you, make you feel guilty, or belittle you when He calls out where you fall short. The deeper question is do you want feedback? Do you want wisdom to show you where you are not being wise? Do you want to learn how to walk in right relationship with Jesus? What do you want? Are you willing to surrender control and be coachable? It is impossible to add living water to someone whose cup is already full of themselves.
“I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel...I will display my glory among the nations...From that day forward the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God...the Sovereign Lord says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people"
Ezekiel 39:7, 21-22, 25, 29
Does God sound passive or distant in this chapter? The enemy wants you to believe that God is not moving and He will not answer your prayers. Look at how assertive and strong the words of God are as spoken through Ezekiel. What does He say?
He makes promises. He gives us words to stand on. He declares that He will make His name great, that all nations will know Jesus, that He will meet people where they are so that they would know He is God as He moves, that He will restore us, that He will have compassion, that He cares that His name is kept holy, and that He will give us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Has history not testified that all His words are true and that He deserves all the credit for all He has done?
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever.I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel...If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin...I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy...And they praised God because of me.”
Galatians 1:3-6, 10-12, 15-16, 23-24
Paul faced the same issues that God addressed in the book of Deuteronomy. God promised to move in a powerful way. God moved in a powerful way. People turned to pride and relativism causing praise to go everywhere except upon the God who deserves all glory. Paul says that people were preaching a different gospel. Isn't it interesting that in our world there can be so many different ways messages you hear about the good news? Paul says that the good news is simple. We are called to live by the grace of Christ, as servants of Christ. The Holy One who redeems us, restores us, and guides us into resurrected life where we have peace with God and live to love Him back with lives that point to Jesus.
Paul shares his own testimony. We are meant to share ours. What is your testimony? Describe what life was like before you knew Jesus then describe how you encountered Jesus and the fullness of His unconditional love then how your life has been transformed by His love. Describe how life in the spirit is different from the life you led before you knew Jesus. Are you pointing to Jesus today or concerned with your own pride? Are you thinking about what other people will thinking or focused on sharing the good news of Jesus Christ? Let us listen to the words of Paul that echo Solomon's words and God's instructions that we are called to learn, listen to God's voice, trust that He will do what He promises, vanquish fear with our faith in the Holy One and live to give thanks to God and God alone.