GOD has come to test you.

 GOD has come to test you.

Exodus 20: ¹⁸ Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. ¹⁹ Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

 

²⁰ And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” ²¹ So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

 

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After hearing the thunder, seeing the lightning, hearing the trumpet blasting louder and louder, the people trembled and moved away from the mountain where GOD stood. Their reaction from hearing GOD was to ask Moses to speak with GOD instead of HIM speaking with them.

 

My Observations:

• The children of Israel were terrified about GOD’s presence and HIS commandments seemed difficult because their mindset was that of an Egyptian slave.
• The children of Israel may have felt that GOD’s commandments were judgments versus protection.
• Moses tried guide the children of Israel by telling them that GOD was testing them, not in a pass-fail way, but in a mindset changing way.

 

When GOD tests you and me, it is not to make us fail; rather, strengthen us. GOD did not put rules in place that our natural inclination to sin causes us to fail. When we voluntarily surrender ourselves to follow what GOD said, HE does amazing things to us and through us.

 

Unfortunately, when we see GOD as a harsh ruler versus a protector, we resent HIS commandments as harsh. GOD had already showed HIS harsh side by placing plagues on the Egyptians. HE was acting very different with HIS children by correcting them versus judging them.

 

Moses guided the children of Israel into healthy fear of the LORD which holds HIM in reverence and sees HIS ways as love and protection. Moses drew near to the scary place where GOD was. We should too.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD remind Moses about the reaction of the people after HE gave HIS commandments?
• Do you view GOD as the ultimate punisher or the ultimate being who loves you and wants to grow you and protect you?
• Do you react to GOD with surrender or “survival” which causes you to see HIM and HIS servants as harsh?

Agreement to Follow GOD

Agreement to Follow GOD

Exodus 19: ⁷ So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. ⁸ Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord. ⁹ And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.”

 

So Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.

 

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Moses did a lot of walking at the age of eighty. He went up the mountain to hear from GOD and was told to obey HIS voice and keep HIS covenant. Moses then walked back down the mountain and told them what GOD said. The people agreed to follow GOD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD was establishing Moses as the person HE would talk to.
• The children of Israel did not know that GOD was about to change their mindset.
• Moses was now established as a judge, priest and leader of the children of Israel.

 

The first five books of the Bible are called the Torah or the Pentateuch. These books, written by Moses,  include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. GOD dictated to Moses what HE wanted to be revealed and remembered. In this passage, GOD is establishing Moses as the one who would bring the Law to humans.

 

Moses also had the task of announcing JESUS, without knowing he was doing so. The words of the Law would never go away, however, the Law would be fulfilled in CHRIST, who never broke a single Law. Over 600 laws would be given in the upcoming chapters and books. The people agreed to follow the laws and did not know what they were agreeing to.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about his travel up and down the mounting, exchanging conversations between the children of Israel and HIM?
• Have you ever agreed to follow GOD but found yourself reluctant when you truly discovered what it meant?
• Can you seen that loving one another fulfills all the law and that should be your pursuit versus trying to be perfect?

Direct Statement

Mark 9: ³⁰ Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. ³¹ For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” ³² But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.

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“You are being moved to a division and will be in charge of your own department” was the statement. “Why, what did I do?” was my reply in horror.

• Sometimes good news has to be spelled out to me.
• Sometimes good news sounds like bad news to me.
• Sometimes good news is hidden from my worried ears.

I can only guess what the disciples were thinking when JESUS told them HE would be murdered and will rise from the dead. What an absurd statement! No one had ever made that claim and fulfilled it. BUT GOD knew what HE was talking about.

• JESUS says to me “I love you dearly”.
• JESUS says to me “I have placed MY SPIRIT inside of you to comfort you.”
• JESUS says to me “I will be with you always.”

Clear and direct statements have been said to me, yet I fear, worry and doubt. HE makes it very easy and clear that HE cannot love me more than HE already does. HE has wiped away all of my sins. I do not have to wonder about HIS love for me. In fact I can embrace HIS love daily.

• Are you worried that GOD has left you?
• Do you think the sin you did is holding you back?
• Can you look at GOD differently as the ONE who forgives, cleans and loves?

Because I Don’t Want to Listen

Isaiah 1: ¹⁵ When you spread out your hands in prayer,
    I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.

Your hands are full of blood!

¹⁶ Wash and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
    stop doing wrong.
¹⁷ Learn to do right; seek justice.
    Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
    plead the case of the widow.

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.
¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient,
    you will eat the good things of the land;
²⁰ but if you resist and rebel,
    you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

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“How do you know it is GOD that is speaking to you?” someone asked me. At one point I used to think GOD was speaking to me when a thought would pop into my head or when a situation “I” felt was good would happen. This immature view of GOD lead me down sinful paths with random success.

• There were times when I thought I was listening to GOD but I was listening to myself.
• There were times when I thought GOD was speaking to me and I was really being tempted.
• There were times when I thought just because “it” was said in “church” that “it” must be GOD.

Confused and duped were places I have landed because I sought groups of people who said what I wanted to hear. I went to a church who lusted after money, never once hearing much about salvation through JESUS who is the CHRIST. How can I get out of this confusion? I mean, I don’t like reading.

• GOD said to me “Seek MY face daily” which means I need to communicate with HIM in prayer.
• GOD said to me “Seek MY kingdom” which means I need to actively go out and look for people to bring into HIS house.
• GOD said to me “Seek MY wisdom” which means I had to overcome the barrier of reading HIS word, so take it in small chunks.

After I started truly seeking GOD instead of seeking the stuff I had put in my mind and blamed it on GOD, I started noticing a difference. I noticed fruit. People were opening their hearts to GOD and actively pursuing HIM. I also noticed I was doing more and more things I did not want to do. I was giving more and reading more and praying more.

My temper had to be doused and my graciousness had to grow. I had to get rid of fear of humans and instill the fear of GOD. Most of all I had to listen to HIM!

• Are you turning your ears away from GOD?
• Have you placed something in the way of you being able to listen to HIM?
• Are you listening to yourself and blaming it on GOD?
• Can you turn from your ways and start seeking HIM today?

Can I Hear God?

2 Chronicles 33: ¹⁰ The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.

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“Why did I just lie?” was the final straw. At this point I was lying for no reason at all. There was nothing to gain so in all respects I was lying to myself. It wasn’t the lie that brought me around, but the question. Where did that question come from?

• There are times when I hear GOD and I choose to ignore HIM.
• There are moments when GOD is telling me to do something and I sit back and close my ears.
• There are periods where I am throwing a tantrum and I refuse to do what GOD is saying.

GOD speaks to me each and every day.  HE placed HIS laws in my heart as HE did every human HE made. HE says “Forgive that person” or “Don’t do that this time” or “Be Strong, do not be discouraged” to me and in my own bumbling way I ignore what HE says.

• GOD wants me to listen to HIM on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to read HIS word so HE can speak to me.
• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways so HE will make me fruitful.

GOD speaks to me through HIS creation when I can see growth, sun and rain. It’s up to me to appreciate it.  GOD speaks to me through people in calm and trying situations. It’s up to me to praise HIM about it. GOD speaks to me through HIS Bible. It’s up to me to absorb what HE is saying. GOD speaks to me through the HOLY SPIRIT who brings me comfort. It’s up to me to receive peace.

GOD speaks to me daily. HE wants me to speak back to HIM.

• Are you confused or fearful?
• Have you ever asked “How can I hear GOD?”
• Can you stop and look around and see what GOD is saying to you right now?
• Will you let GOD permeate your heart?

GOD’s Blessings

2 Samuel 2:1 In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.

The Lord said, “Go up.”

David asked, “Where shall I go?”

“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.

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⁴ Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah.

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“How do you know GOD is talking to you?” many people have asked me. I can’t quite describe it, but it usually starts with my troubles, doubts fears and even desires.

• When I’m worried and see no way out GOD says to me “Have peace” and I calm down.
• When I’m troubled and disturbed GOD says to me “Rest besides still waters” and I relax.
• When I’m full of doubt and filled with fear GOD says to me “Have faith” and I let go of the unknown.

GOD speaks to me through reading and trying to understand HIM. Reading the Bible alone won’t do it. HE also speaks to me through people HE has put into my life. I’m not talking about some person who spontaneously appears rather HE places the right person at the right time, just when I need them.

GOD also speaks through circumstances HE places in my life. Whether they seem “bad” or “good,” GOD shows me HIS power and might on a daily basis.

• I know it’s GOD when HE tells me to do something that requires total faith in HIM.
• I know it’s GOD when HE tells me to do something that will grow HIS kingdom.
• I know it’s GOD when HE tells me to do something that aligns with the Bible.
• I know it’s GOD when HE tells me to do something that the HOLY SPIRIT inside me agrees with.

I could go on and on about the many “coincidences” that have happened in my life that only came from GOD. Examples like inadvertently turning down a street and seeing someone I was supposed to see or waking up while driving only to see I was safe or being catapulted to high ranks with an impoverished background, strengthen my faith in HIM all the more.

How do I know GOD is talking to me? I just do!

• Can you hear GOD?
• Is HE speaking to you today?
• Is HE asking you to trust in HIM fully and drop your fears, doubts and worries?
• Can you see HIM working in the middle of trials?
• Won’t you pursue learning about HIM today?

How do I know when the LORD is speaking?

Deuteronomy 18: ²¹ You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” ²² If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.

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Pricey but sleek was my dream car at the time. It was next on my list of toys I was going to purchase. GOD must want me to have it, because I want it and I have the means to purchase it. I think I even had a date in mind. When the company cut positions, I no longer had the means to buy this pricey hunk of metal. Was my desire from GOD or me?

• Just because a thought pops in my head doesn’t mean it’s from GOD.
• Just because I really want something doesn’t mean GOD has blessed my desire.
• Just because a circumstance is placed in front of me doesn’t mean that circumstance is flowing towards GOD’s plan.

I have heard preachers tell me the end of the world was supposed to happen on a specific date but the Bible says “No man knows the date or time” for this event. I have thought a person was or wasn’t going to do something BUT GOD did opposite of my thought. Is GOD opposing me on purpose? How do I know when HE is speaking?

• GOD speaks through HIS HOLY SPIRIT HE placed inside of me and has written HIS laws on my heart and the HOLY SPIRIT reminds me to follow them.
• GOD speaks through ordained humans, not always pastors or teachers, but those HE consecrates to say some tough messages that I sometimes do not like.
• GOD speaks through HIS Bible which documents past, present and future events.

Why the mystery?  I mean if HE would just open up HIS mouth and audibly say something then everyone on earth would believe, right? Wrong! HE walked on the planet for years and years and many did not believe. Instead of begging for my love HE showed HIS by dying on the cross in my place.

• Have you asked GOD to show you the way?
• Have you given GOD the chance to say “no” to your idea or desire?
• Have you sought GOD by reading HIS Bible?
• Are you listening to what GOD is saying through other humans or are you critiquing them?
• Do you check what humans are saying with what the Bible says?

Can anything stop GOD’s plan for you?

Numbers 23: ¹⁹ God isn’t a mere man. He can’t lie.
    He isn’t a human being. He doesn’t change his mind.
He speaks, and then he acts.
    He makes a promise, and then he keeps it.

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“Heal my eyes” was my statement to GOD in a demanding tone of disbelief. To this day I still wear glasses and it seems like my vision has seen no improvement for decades after my rant. I have also prayed for many things that weren’t good for me, but I wanted them at the time. I wasn’t granted favor in those prayers either.

• GOD isn’t a mere man.
• GOD can’t lie
• GOD isn’t human.
• GOD doesn’t change HIS mind.

GOD’s ways are not my ways.  I would turn HIM into a slave or a genie, granting my every wish and smiting my enemies. GOD has HIS plan for me and HE is supreme to execute it, whenever and however HE sees fit. I must have faith in HIM that HIS plan is best for me.

• GOD speaks and then HE acts and nothing can stop HIS plan.
• GOD makes a promise and keeps HIS promises to me because nothing can stop HIS plan.
• GOD leads and I follow because nothing can stop HIS plan.

There is no one nothing no thought no height no depth that can keep me from GOD’s love. All forces bow to HIM and those who oppose HIM are blotted out. GOD’s plan for me cannot fail because GOD can’t fail.

• Do you know GOD has a plan for you?
• Can you see HIS love in your life or are you preoccupied with your circumstance?
• Won’t you share HIS love with someone today?