fickleness

Turning, Turning, Turning, and Turning Again

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god. And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side: neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.
Judges 8:33-35

Reading the history of Israel in the book of judges ought to remind us how fickle we people of Adam’s race really is. At this point we read of judges, men, and a woman whom God used to deliver Israel from their tormentors, again and again.

They are loyal and faithful to the LORD while they are following the leadership of the faithful judge, but as soon as he/she is dead they go back into bondage.

Notice where bondage begins. It begins when the people of God turn their backs on God, and live their own way, in their own truth, and worship a god, a demon of their own making. Turning away from their glory in the LORD. They are again in the bondage and iniquity of sin.

When things are going smoothly, with no conflict, and things are comfortable; look out for turning away from God. When we are blessed, and everything seems right, if we are not aware, we need to beware of our position with the LORD, at all times. We also need to continue remembering the LORD our God through all times.

Jesus Christ is the way to God. He is the only way to God. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The sacrifice of His life on the cross dying for our sins, His burial, and resurrection is the way to life, and eternal life. The only way to being forgiven all of your sins, being made  clean, and clothed in the righteousness of Christ. He is also the only way that we can remain faithful and loyal to Him through every situation and circumstance we encounter in life. We will not be sinless in this life, but because of our faith in Christ when God sees us He sees us as forgiven, clean, and righteous because He sees the blood of His Son Jesus.

Yes, we can still be fickle in and about things, even our faith. When we sin Jesus is our Advocate with the Father. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

When we find ourselves turning away from the LORD, let us immediately turn back to Him.

Desires of the Heart

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“So they did eat, and were well filled: for He gave them their own desire; they were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. For all this they sinned still, and believed not for His wondrous works.” Psalm 78:29-32 (KJV)

Asaph is again the Psalmist of this song. This Psalm is a reminder of the wilderness journeys of Israel, and how God delivered them out of Egypt; then, to drive Egypt out of them.

God had provided the people with “manna” meaning “What is it?” and they were complaining and calling on Moses to lead them back to Egypt. How fickle and foolish we people can be sometimes; yes even saved, even delivered people.

You can read the story that is being sung by Asaph in Numbers 11.

A couple questions: Would you prefer that God gave you all the desires of your own heart? or: Would you prefer that God gave you His desires and placed them in your heart and mind?

The Psalmist points out to us that God “gave them their own desire”; and that was not a good option for them. We see later that they gorged themselves, many became sick and perished. They named the place “Kibrothhattaavah” which means “Graves of Craving” (Numbers 11:34). The Psalmist of Psalm 106 states,

“And He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15

Go ahead and complain about your life situation. Go ahead, and ask God for a big fancy home, big nice car, lots of money in the bank, great land holdings; and He may give it to you.

Myself I have chosen to pray for what He desires for my life. I pray that is what you have determined as well. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Note that he does not say “things you desire”, but rather, “desires”.

When God, through Jesus Christ, is your desire there will be peace, rest and safety.