I was reading in Exodus this morning about how the Israelites had made the golden calf while Moses was away with God. As I was reading through this, I was thinking, "How in the world can these people, knowing all that God has brought them through, do this?"
I was thinking so critically of Aaron and the people. I mean after all, didn't God bring them out of slavery? Wasn't it God who gave them favor with the Egyptian people, allowing His people to completely and totally plunder the Egyptians of all of their valuables? Did He not part the Red Sea, letting them miraculously walk across on dry land? And, then only after they were safe, didn't they witness God letting the waters go and absolutely annihilate their enemy? I could go on and on.
So, why after such a short time did they forget? Why when Moses was gone, did they lose hope in his return? Why in the world would they have Aaron build false gods? And, why in the world would Aaron do such a thing?
So, I asked God. I prayed and meditated on it. And, this is the revelation I believe He gave me.
I'm no different. God has come through for me hundreds, if not thousands of times. Many of which I'm not even aware of. I could list here, pages and pages of amazing things He has done for me. The countless times He has demonstrated His undying and incomprehensible love for me. And, yet, when uncertainty arises, especially when it doesn't resolve quickly, I tend to become anxious, worried and stressed. The only explanation I have, is that, for whatever reasons, I still don't fully trust God. In those moments, I forget all that He's done for me. Then, I find myself inadvertently putting my trust in other things that will ultimately fail me. Now, the good news is that He eventually brings me to a place where I find peace in Him. But, oh, how I wish it was my initial reaction. I've heard it said that a person will tell you what they really believe in their reactions. I have so far to go.
You too?
There is good news! In Philippians 1:6, we are told that He who started a good work in us is faithful to complete it! He will never give up on us! If we can trust Him to the best of our ability. If we can surrender our lives to Him to the best of our ability. He will make up the difference. We can't always see the growth that's happening, sometimes it's quite slow, but if we are really surrendered to Him, then make no mistake about it, growth is happening. We are not the same as we were yesterday, last week, last year. We are continually being made new by the power of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:17 / Titus 3:5-6
Want to be encouraged? Here's a brand new band, All Things New, and their debut song we just started playing at New Life Media, called "New Man"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0jZc8_eTwE
Live, acoustic version; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO2QBRqsHRY&list=UUxaLgVTXrqmKUvH7nW_sbrw&index=26
If I can be praying for you, please don't hesitate to let me know; joeb@newlifemedia.org
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director. www.newlifemedia.org We work very hard to honor God thorugh serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions of our listeners. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on the link to your station for direct link. Thanks!
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