Verse of the day: Exodus 17:7 So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”
It does not take long for us to see that people today are no different than they were back in the days when Moses and the Israelites were in the wilderness. How quickly they forgot God’s goodness, questioned His presence, and became aggressively mean-spirited towards the person God chose to lead them. Sadly, this sounds like some of our local churches today. The Israelites, upon finding no water, allowed this present need to stir their passions and anger, causing them to strive with Moses; even to the point of wanting to stone him (v 4). They allowed their passionate anger to even question God’s faithfulness to them, and whether or not He was really in their midst; this, even as God had already visibly appeared to them (Exodus 14). God’s people have not changed much since that time. How often do we hear Christians, maybe even ourselves, question whether or not God is with us when we find ourselves going to difficult times? Yet, God’s Word promises us that God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). When our feelings and God’s promises are in conflict, our feelings are wrong; no matter how real they may seem to us. The people wrongfully demanded from Moses what only God could provide for them. We, as God’s children, must be careful that we do not become unreasonable in our relationships, expecting from others what only God can, and should, provide. Too many congregations expect their pastors, and church leaders, to give them what only God can, and what they should be seeking the LORD to give them. We cannot blame our local churches for the way our children turn out. That responsibility is on us. The church is here to supplement what we are supposed to be teaching our own children. We feed them the main course, and the church supplies the vitamin supplement (spiritually speaking). We cannot blame the local church for our failed marriages. We are responsible for being the husbands and wives we are supposed to be before the Lord. The church can provide us with additional encouragement and biblical guidance to supplement what we are supposed to already be practicing in our relationship with our spouses. We cannot blame the pastor or local church for our lack of peace and joy in life if we are not seeking God in prayer, His Word, and being doers of His Word (James 1:22-25). I am afraid that if the Israelites could find another group wandering in the wilderness, they would have defected and gone to that group; much like Christians in the local churches today who, when they are not getting what they want from their current attending church, they scurry to the next one. The better solution, oftentimes, is for us to pray about our situation, pray for the local church we are currently in and its leaders; and then try to become part of the solution to whatever the problem might be. Sadly, however, it is often easier to complain about the leadership and move on to the next local church, where we will start that process all over again until we move on to the next one (sheepishly proclaiming that it is God who is moving us). Some even point the finger at God and leave the church altogether, choosing not to attend anywhere. Moses’ response is one that we can learn from in dealing with people who can be difficult to reason with. Rather than become angry himself, he gives them a soft answer, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?” Proverbs 15:1 tells us, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Rather than engage them in their foolish complaining and accusations, Moses turned to the LORD. He trusted that God would hear his prayer, give him guidance, and resolve the issue, without him having to stoop to their level. The men and women that God chooses to lead His people often have to deal with their own personal struggles, as well as those of the people they are called to serve. We must remember this, and not put burdens on them that we are supposed to be carrying ourselves. They are called to serve us by teaching us and leading us in the ways of God, but it is the LORD who will provide us with what we need, to get through our daily struggles. Too often, we are like spiritual vampires, sucking the life out of our spiritual leaders, forgetting that they too are human, and struggle just like we do. For those of us who are called to lead, we must not allow ourselves to get caught up in the strife that comes from people who become unreasonable in their demands or become unreasonable in their expectations when they find themselves in difficult times. Instead, we must gently try to guide their attention back to the LORD, and be diligent about turning to the LORD ourselves for guidance, trusting Him to be the answer to their particular dilemma, and ours (1 Peter 5:7). In the end, this can be a profitable exercise in faith and trust, for both the leader and the person being led, if we keep the right attitude and perspective through it all.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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