A Stiffed-Neck and Adulterous People... Not Just the Israelites

When I am reading in the Old Testament, I am always astounded by the Israelites, and not in a good way. God promised them blessings if they obey His commandments and do not turn aside to other gods. And time after time, they turn away. They are referred to as a “stiffed-neck” and “adulterous” people multiple times, and trouble come to them because of it.

In my conceit, I always considered them to be such a foolish people. How could they continue in this pattern and face the same consequences over and over again? Then, when I what reading recently, I got a serious reality check.

I am the same way. I turn my attention off of God, worshiping other things in my heart, and I certainly face consequences for it. When I walk in my hardness of heart, I hurt both others and myself so badly. When I walk with God and am focused on Him, I have joy despite the circumstances, I guard my tongue, and I am not nearly so temperamental. When I am close to Him, I have His peace and he takes care of me. You’d think I’d learn, wouldn’t you. I realize I am just as foolish as the Israelites, as are many Christians today.

We drift away from God and then wonder why our hearts are so burdened and what has changed.

We blame God and ask Him what He’s doing, even though it’s our fault. Just like the Israelites.

Luckily, that wasn’t the way their stories ended, and it’s not how ours end either.

Eventually it heir oppression, the Israelites would always end up crying out to God. And He always sent someone to rescue them and to lead them back to Him. He never ignores their cry, despite the numerous amount of times that they turned their backs on Him.

The same can go for us. Even in our idolatry, God will rescue us out of it. He forgives us and brings us back.

It’s not an easy process, but we are God’s people, as the Israelites were. We are His children, and just as children who have gone astray, we need to be disciplined and brought back to Him.

It says in Proverbs 13:24 “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but whoever loves him is diligent to discipline him.” We should not be resentful when He chooses to discipline us. We should be grateful because it is a show of His love and affection for us, as it was for His people in the Old Testament.

He is a patient God, but that is not to be taken advantage of. He disciplines us to draw us to Him, not to allow us to go in whatever path we deem is the most enjoyable for ourselves. He wants what is best for us, and that is walking in step with Him.

I was really humbled when I realized all of this. I think I’m so great, but in all reality, I’m not at all. I am not better than this group of people that I once thought so foolish. The more I read the Old Testament, now that I see my faults, the more I understand the hearts of the Israelites. It doesn’t excuse them, and it certainly doesn’t excuse me. It just reminds me to not be so prideful, because I am no better.

So many people when they think of idol worship think of making carven images and worshiping that. So they think things along the line of “Well I don’t do that. I’m not like the Israelites.”

I used to think like that too, until I realized that idols aren’t always carven images, As a matter of fact, in our world, they most of the time aren’t. An idol is anything that we spend most of our time on and consumes our heart more than God. We don’t even really notice, but we worship these things all the time.

Here’s a few of my idols-

-Myself (This is my biggest)

-Friends

-TV

-Food

-Music

-Grades

None of these things are bad in themselves.  Actually, on their own, they are gifts from God, given to us for our enjoyment. The problem becomes when these things impede on our relationship with God. That’s when they become our objects of worship.

We need to focus more on God and less on ourselves. That’s what God wanted for the Israelites and it’s what He wants for us. He wants us to love Him above anything else in the world. And why shouldn’t we? After all, He has given us everything. We should love the giver, and not the gifts. 

Where's Your Light?

I love inspiring quotes. They lift me up and make me think in a better way than I was. They allow me to see the world from someone else’s point of view that I may never have considered before. They cheer me up and I can use them to oftentimes encourage others.

I have one quote however that really makes me think. It makes me hesitate, challenges me to think about how I’m living and what I’m living for.

The quote comes from John Keith Falconer.

"I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light"

On the surface, it doesn’t seem like much, but really look at it. Every believer is a light in the world and we are called to share that light with others. In Matthew, we are told to let our light shine before men.

This quote also goes right along with why I aspire to be a missionary. There are very few people here who haven’t at least heard about Christ or who don’t have any access to His Word. Even if they reject His light, they have a chance to accept it, because they can know it should they choose to seek it.

Other areas in the world don’t have this luxury. They have no light, no chance for any unless someone brings it to them.

“But Rachel, living in the darkness doesn’t sound fun or safe.”

No. It doesn’t. It’s scary and safety is far from guaranteed. But it’s so worth it.

Think about it, if the sun’s out and it’s already bright, do you waste the energy to turn on a light? Of course not. It’s a waste of power. You wait until the sun has lowered and you need to be able to see better.

Now if you think of life as a candle, all of the sudden, wanting to live in the darkness makes a lot of sense. In the light, another light is wasted. Life is wasted where it’s already bright.

I would rather live my life where it is useful and my light can shine bright and bring light to others instead of just showing people light that they see every day and shut out.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

I ask you if you will to think about not only just letting your light shine, but also about where you are letting it shine, and if you are letting it shine into an area where it is most needed. 

Just Slow Down

I have been seeing more and more the necessity of slowing life down for a while. The culture in America is so hectic and it can seem impossible to take time out of our schedules to do things like pray or read our Bibles.

And that is exactly why we need to make time.

The strenuous lives we lead here are not conducive to slowing down and just basking in the Presence of God. And if we don’t find a way to make that time the stress and worries of life will overcome us.

In Matthew 11:28-30 is says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

We are supposed to come to Him and rest with Him. How can we do that if we never take any time to be with Him?

Our souls are constantly in turmoil. It is so difficult to make it through this life and we cannot do it on our own. Spending time with God gives our souls the rest they need and will strengthen us to face the days ahead of us.

And we are supposed to learn from Him. I know that as I have been reading through Matthew, I have learned a lot from Jesus. And one of the things I have taken from it is how willing He is to follow what His Father leads Him to do. How many times did someone ask for His help, and He turned to help them, instead of focusing on whatever plan He may have had. He also took time to be with God. People may have been seeking Him and following Him, but there was more than one occasion where He would withdraw from the crowds to be alone with His Father.

I think that is something we can learn from Christ; willingness to sacrifice our time so that we can be with God.

I know how difficult it can be to manage time so that you can enjoy God’s Presence, even for a few moments. I’ve taken to getting up earlier so that I can spend time in the Word and in prayer, and then I also know that I get to school early so I sit against the wall and spend time with Him there before class. Even in small moments like this I find my rest in Him and He reveals Himself to me. I carry my bible with me almost everywhere as well. It sometimes gets in my way if I leave it on my desk around my schoolwork, but what a wonderful thing to be in the way. It’s a constant reminder of my faith and my God.

I love sleep as much as the next girl, and probably more than some, but I have not once regretted losing some to spend time with God.

Just because you’re spending that time with God doesn’t mean life will be easier though. I know my life hasn’t gotten any less stressful. However, I’ve found myself to be more joyful and patient with my life as I rest in Christ and learn from Him as He has commanded.

There is no one who is as loving or cares as much about you as God. I know that I have some really good friends, but I can’t always be 100% honest with them or always expect that they will love me no matter what happens. They’re human, just like me and have their faults. But I can be that honest and open when I am talking to God. I can tell Him anything and nothing I can say will ever make Him love me less. And besides, He already knows whatever I have to say anyway.

So what I’m trying to say is we really need to just take a step back and slow down our lives. Take time to be with God. Be willing to follow His plans, whatever they may be.

Hit the pause button on your hectic life for a while and set your mind on the one thing that matters more than anything this life has to offer.