This is another Life Lessons from the Old Testament that have learned from over the years. I believe in being real with God. I don't pretend that I am perfect, even when I get something right, (especially when I get something right) and I realize that regardless to any title, position, or how long I have been walking with Him, I STILL need Him. Any bit of success we have, comes from Him. I also understand the laws of sowing and reaping. Some things I have done in my life had consequences, and I adjusted myself when I prayed to God. I don't pretend that someone is being mean to me, or that someone is not being gracious or spiritual; some things are simply 'I sowed, I reaped'. That is why this next character taught me a lesson that has been helpful to me.
ELI AND SONS
We love telling our kids about how God spoke to a child.
BACK STORY: Hannah was barren and prayed for a son and when God blessed her with Samuel, she told God she would give him to the church and she did, literally. (Talking about tithe or first fruit! ) Samuel was raised by Eli a priest in the temple, but Eli had some bad parenting issues with his own sons. According to the bible he allowed them to run wild and they blatantly did things that they knew were wrong and Eli didn't correct them... so God did. God spoke to Samuel late one night telling him to tell Eli that he was going to be judged for not dealing with his kids. (The full story is great, but you will have to read that part for yourself!(1 Samuel 3:1-10) Samuel was confused with hearing God call him, he thought it was Eli. After three times Eli told him it was God and to respond to Him, and he did. The next morning Eli asked Samuel what God said to him and Samuel was reluctant to tell his mentor, this man of God, that God was going to judge him because of his lack of disciple with his sons. After Eli got Samuel to fess up, he told him what God said. Eli's response puzzled me... he basically said:
BACK STORY: Hannah was barren and prayed for a son and when God blessed her with Samuel, she told God she would give him to the church and she did, literally. (Talking about tithe or first fruit! ) Samuel was raised by Eli a priest in the temple, but Eli had some bad parenting issues with his own sons. According to the bible he allowed them to run wild and they blatantly did things that they knew were wrong and Eli didn't correct them... so God did. God spoke to Samuel late one night telling him to tell Eli that he was going to be judged for not dealing with his kids. (The full story is great, but you will have to read that part for yourself!(1 Samuel 3:1-10) Samuel was confused with hearing God call him, he thought it was Eli. After three times Eli told him it was God and to respond to Him, and he did. The next morning Eli asked Samuel what God said to him and Samuel was reluctant to tell his mentor, this man of God, that God was going to judge him because of his lack of disciple with his sons. After Eli got Samuel to fess up, he told him what God said. Eli's response puzzled me... he basically said:
"He is the Lord, Let Him do what is good in His eyes." 1 Samuel 3:11-17
As a result in the next chapter not only did Eli's sons die, but he did as well.
Okay folks, I get it. I told you that I am really analytical, that I understand consequences and sowing and reaping, I understand that some things I have dealt with are because of my own actions and I can't blame people when judgment comes. But as much as I know and understand God's wrath, I also know God's love, His mercy, His grace and His plans are good for me. I know that He is more gracious than man, more willing to hear our cry and more available to us when we think He should be far away. God is never wanting us to perish, He prefers repentance! God has plans for us and even when you realize consequences are coming, you can still call on a God who loves you and has a plan for your life. Here is an example for those of you who are harder on yourselves than I am....
ANOTHER DEATH SENTENCE
Hezekiah was sick, Isaiah the prophet came and told him to put his house in order because God said he was going to die. Hezekiah could have said "Be it unto me according to Your word." But He didn't. Instead he turned his face to the wall and called on God. He reminded God of his faithfulness to Him and he wept bitterly. Before the prophet left the gate, God sent him back with this message.
"Go tell Hezekiah, "This is what the Lord the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your; tears I will add fifteen years to your life and deliver you and this city..."
Two different situations but both heard a negative word from God. You may say that Hezekiah had faithfulness to work with, but as long as you have breath, you can talk to God and ask for His help in building faithfulness anew. It is worth the try instead of dying a harsh death in disobedience.
MY LIFE LESSON
So what the story of Eli and his sons taught me, is not to be so analytical that I just accept the reaping for my sowing without asking God to help me uproot the plant. I would rather have to change my ways and rely on His grace and help to do it, than to accept something less than what God really wants for me just because I feel I deserve it! So....
For every negative confession
"Lord I repent for lying!"
For every bad seed sown.
"Lord, forgive me and help me uproot my bad seeds and plant good ones so much that it chokes out the bad. For anyone affected by my bad sowing, I pray they reap only good and live a prosperous and peaceful life!"
For every act of disobedience...
"Lord, I need Your help to honor You. I yield my will to Yours and ask You to govern my life. Help me to obey You!"
In Jesus Name, Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment