The short arm of the Lord
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 11, 12; Psalms 41, 42
Numbers 11:23 (NIV)
23 The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”
Numbers 12:6-8 (NIV)
“When a prophet of the Lord is among you, I reveal Myself to him in visions. I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of My servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. Why then, were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”
Psalm 42:7 (NIV)
7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
Good morning!
During worship at Faith Church last Sunday, Pastor Jeff challenged the congregation to participate in a Lenten fast. The fast will last the entire forty-day period of Lent. This is not a fast of food or water. Pastor asked us to fast our words – the ones that lead to grumbling, griping and complaining! How long can you go without oozing negativity, spitting up some cynical or belligerent chorus in a well-timed moment? Is the substance of who we really are revealed through the thoughts of our minds and the words pouring out from our lips?
The Israelites had become Complaining Pros. Check out the road sign at the entrance to their campground: “Dissatisfied with your life? Tired of eating Manna? Call 1-800-G-R-U-M-B-L-E. We’ll help you discover the sharper side of dissatisfaction. Be the best complainer you can be. Call 1-800-G-R-U-M-B-L-E. We are there to take your complaints!
Within seventy-two hours of their miraculous delivery out of Egypt, team Israel began to complain. Scripture reveals that they not only rose up in distrust against their cruise director and his family, the Israelites shook their self-righteous fist at the Lord God Almighty. It wasn’t enough to taste manna from heaven, or be satisfied with the gift of life and the promise of a new land. They had been freed from the bondage of slavery, and the presence of Almighty God dwelled within their camp. Still, God’s chosen ones rose up in anger. From their mouths poured vile, malicious words. In one large chorus the people proclaimed their lack of trust, not only in Moses, but to the God who saves them.
One critical word can cut us to the quick. Our tongues become lethal weapons when we lash out in anger and discontent. Is our dissatisfaction a result of the incompetence of our Creator or the people He has placed in our path to guide and direct us? Could it be that our unhappiness runs deeper than our circumstances? Are we heartbroken and disgusted with our inability to let go of the controls and choose to trust the Lord completely?
The fast begins right here, right now. Take the pastor’s challenge. Examine the words that spew from your mouth. Think about why the words flow out so easily. Is there a motive behind your madness? Is there a deep-seated hurt that needs His healing touch? Can we trust our God enough to see that His arm is long enough to save, redeem, and raise us?
Will you choose to trust the Lord completely during the next forty-days of your life?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: God to take control of your words, thoughts, and negative mannerisms. May you find new life and a wellspring of joy rising up and washing over you, as you begin to go deep with the Lord. Will you take the Pastor’s challenge? Will you lay down your discontent at the foot of the cross and leave it there?
____________________________
© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.
