Do We Have Abominations In Our Lives? II
Today we come to our second abomination that we must review to see if there is any trace in our life. While simple, it is devastating when present; much like dynamite, it can wreck havoc when it explodes. This abomination is the idea of “We know better than God.” Proverbs 15:9 “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves one who pursues righteousness.” When we deviate from God’s plan, we are in fact telling Him we know better. Verse nine tells us even more though, “the wicked” indicates that the person doing this is acting out of their own self will and has rejected what God wants best for their life. God knows what is best for us, but also recognizes that free will is something to be cherished! This is why Proverbs 16:9 states, “a man’s heart plans his way. But the lord directs his steps.” Yet, when it comes to man and his relationship to God, Jesus has set clear indistinguishable boundaries on what man must recognize. This doesn’t just mean salvation, but also His plan with those who are following Him. I would encourage you to see what Korah did in Numbers 16. Here we find that he and others wanted to replace Moses and Aaron (Levi priesthood) as the leaders and intercessors for the tribes of Israel. I would encourage you to read verses 1-35 on your own. However, we can see from 31-40 that God takes seriously when the wicked attempt to thwart His ways for their own ways.
Numbers 16:31-40 “As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open; 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah with their possessions. 33 So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. 34 All Israel who were around them fled at their outcry, for they said, “The earth may swallow us up!” 35 Fire also came forth from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense. 36 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 37 “Say to Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, that he shall take up the censers out of the midst of the blaze, for they are holy; and you scatter the burning coals abroad. 38 “As for the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives, let them be made into hammered sheets for a plating of the altar, since they did present them before the LORD and they are holy; and they shall be for a sign to the sons of Israel.” 39 So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers which the men who were burned had offered, and they hammered them out as a plating for the altar, 40 as a reminder to the sons of Israel that no layman who is not of the descendants of Aaron should come near to burn incense before the LORD; so that he will not become like Korah and his company--just as the LORD had spoken to him through Moses.”
Now you might be asking yourself, “How is the relevant to me?” And I can emphatically tell you that it is! Is there something in your life that God wants you to do? Or is there something in your life that God wants you to let go of? With either question are you waiting? Are you sitting and figuring out if you should do what He is calling for you to do? When we are not acting upon His will, we are in fact doing it our own way. For non-believers verse nine can mean that their actions or their life style is what Christ does not like; while this is true, believers can be just as guilty. We need to examine our lives and ask God to identify what needs to be fixed so that we can clearly and without hesitation follow His will. God has called you and I to something grand, it is up to us, through being in a relationship with Christ, to find out what that is and accomplish the task. If you are trying to understand what God is calling you to do, I would encourage you to seek out Psalms 28. In the coming months we will be doing a study on the attributes of prayer. Until next week remember that abominations can be large or small in our own measurements but to God, they are still abominations that need to be removed.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL