I AM ISRAEL – this is a revelation that I recently had, I mean, I’ve considered it before, but it has really hit me just how much like the nation of Israel in the Bible I really am. It is so easy to read the Old Testament and feel like aside from Proverbs and Psalms, none of it applies to me. It is all just one big story of the world’s preparation for the first coming of Christ, it’s stories of men and women with faith that only few can achieve, it’s stories of a people chosen by God who just continue to fail at the one thing he asks, loving HIM! How am I like that? (You may find yourselves asking…maybe not, but I know I did!) Here’s how…
What is the first and greatest commandment? Why it’s love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of you mind. Done…or is it? When I am in a pickle who is the first person I turn to? Is it God? Do I ever look back on times when things seemed better? Do I worry, do I stress, can I fully trust that God will provide? God promised the Israelites the PROMISED LAND…he promised them freedom, redemption, eternity with him…oh right, but there were a few bumps along the road. Like 40 years in a desert wasteland, but did God abandon them there? Umm, nope. Manna and quail?? Godly leaders?? Umm, yeah I am pretty sure God provided for them. Did they thank him? Well yeah, sure at the beginning, but then doubt crept in. Doubt has a tendency of doing just that, creeping in where it doesn’t belong. God is sovereign. Unfortunately I neglected to remember that, I questioned why it was taking so long for the funds to come in EVERY time there was a deadline…what can I do differently? I need to pack clothes for every season, I need to hold onto the things I THINK I might need…does God EVER tell us to hoard? No. Does he command us to worry? No. I praised God in the times where I saw obvious proof of his love, but I questioned where God was when funds were tight, when things weren’t going well, when I was sick (briefly…not even anything worth panicking over!!), I questioned where God was when teammate after teammate was leaving the squad and going home. I was such a hypocrite, such an Israelite. This isn’t a health and wealth gospel…I am NOT promised success in the world’s eyes, I am not guaranteed an easy life – in fact I am pretty sure that God promises the opposite. Everyone always quotes Jeremiah 29:11…but does anyone look at the context? I will destroy Israel for the infidelity and unfaithfulness, but Jeremiah you have been strong in me and trusted me therefore I know the plans I have for you – it’s not for everyone…unless my name is Jeremiah, and I am willing to prophesy death over my nation, I’m pretty sure those promises don’t apply them to me in the way I want.
Forgive my tirade, but I am always floored with how quick we are to succumb to our culture, and forget what God has said. Sound like Israel? Yup, cuz it is. I think of how quick we are in America to believe that the truth is relative. Oh, no of course not, God’s truth is TRUTH, but have you ever said to someone, oh no, I don’t think you’re wrong, or well whatever makes you feel better, or maybe I don’t want to offend you, but… it’s not about offending people, but what we have to say, what we believe in IS OFFENSIVE. Remember in Judges when wrath came down on Israel because everyone did what was right in his or her own eyes? That’s what we are doing when we do what feels best or does what makes everyone happy rather than doing what God says. Now by no means do I support those who stand outside the abortion clinic and harass and kill people nor do I support gay bashing and the like, because they and all of us are ALL GOD’S CHILDREN – he has the potential to love all of us…why don’t we? It is the second commandment. In loving God and striving to do his will we desire after his heart and in that way only can truly love others. We can be the New Jerusalem, the Redeemed Israel. We have all had our Hosea’s wife moments, but it is time to come back, it is time to be the church. I have realized it, and I couldn’t be more excited to head out to Africa and share Christ’s love in a way I never have before.
