The right thing done the wrong way results in the wrong thing. Such as it is with doing God's work: His work done your way does not have a good result.
"Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." (Exodus 2.11-12)
Relieving God's people of an oppressive burden is a noble cause. In fact, that was the very plan God had in the works for them through the man, Moses. But, taking matters into his own hands and committing murder hardly served God's purposes. A long period of time lapsed - approximately forty years - before the dramatic burning bush call came, and God's plan and timing unfolded.
The lessons and application for us are abundantly clear: God's plan, done the wrong way and at the wrong time, is a recipe for disaster. His plan must be done His way, and in His time.
Sometimes our presumptuous actions on His behalf betray our view of an anemic and inattentive Father. His seeming inability to get the job done presupposes that He needs us to do it, so we roll up our sleeves and forge recklessly ahead. Or, the crisis looms and He hasn't acted, so He obviously doesn't really see the situation clearly, so we act on His behalf.
The wise writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that "There is an appointed time for everything." (Ecclesiastes 3.1), and that "He has made everything appropriate in its time." (Ecclesiastes 3.11) There is wisdom in discerning the season and time for the plan of God - His plan, His way, in His time.
Perhaps you have a strong impression of something to do with His will in your mind. The greatest temptation, however, is to act presumptuously your way and in your time. His will is often like a seed planted in a field or garden: it must grow and come to fruition in its time and way.
May He give you wise insight into His will, methods, and timing, and may you be at peace with the careful unfolding of His plan.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to his brethren and looked on their hard labors; and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. So he looked this way and that, and when he saw there was no one around, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand." (Exodus 2.11-12)
Relieving God's people of an oppressive burden is a noble cause. In fact, that was the very plan God had in the works for them through the man, Moses. But, taking matters into his own hands and committing murder hardly served God's purposes. A long period of time lapsed - approximately forty years - before the dramatic burning bush call came, and God's plan and timing unfolded.
The lessons and application for us are abundantly clear: God's plan, done the wrong way and at the wrong time, is a recipe for disaster. His plan must be done His way, and in His time.
Sometimes our presumptuous actions on His behalf betray our view of an anemic and inattentive Father. His seeming inability to get the job done presupposes that He needs us to do it, so we roll up our sleeves and forge recklessly ahead. Or, the crisis looms and He hasn't acted, so He obviously doesn't really see the situation clearly, so we act on His behalf.
The wise writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that "There is an appointed time for everything." (Ecclesiastes 3.1), and that "He has made everything appropriate in its time." (Ecclesiastes 3.11) There is wisdom in discerning the season and time for the plan of God - His plan, His way, in His time.
Perhaps you have a strong impression of something to do with His will in your mind. The greatest temptation, however, is to act presumptuously your way and in your time. His will is often like a seed planted in a field or garden: it must grow and come to fruition in its time and way.
May He give you wise insight into His will, methods, and timing, and may you be at peace with the careful unfolding of His plan.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 8:40 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home