Sometimes we think we know best, and we rush ahead with our own ideas. But like these little guys, we can sure mess up things with our limited knowledge. How much better to go to GOD the only One who has all the facts for directions.
After a major surgery in the early 80s, I lost a lot of blood. It was the 1st of two surgeries they had to quickly return me to the OR to stop the bleeding. Though terribly weak and out of it, my doctor wouldn’t give me a blood transfusion but stayed by my side overnight. At 1st it didn’t make sense to my family, but little did they know.
At that time safeguards had not been put in place and there was a rash of incidences from tainted blood. It was discovered that people with Aids had been donating blood and people getting that blood were getting Aids. Praise the LORD for my doctor’s wisdom, and that safeguards are now in place!
With the great loss of blood, I was extremely weak and having a hard time regaining my strength just to function. The doctor told me to start walking. That didn’t make much sense to me, but it surely couldn’t hurt, I slowly began walking. Each day I would walk a little further and would go at a little faster pace. It got me outside and the fresh air was good.
Living out in the country, I walked down a dirt road lined with weeds and wildflowers. From time to time, I would stop and pick a wildflower or a weed that caught my attention. Then, as I continued on my walk, I’d closely examine it. No matter if it was big or small, the intricate tiny details of each design and the mixture of colors always amazed me. GOD sure knew what HE was doing!
Apparently so did the doc, for I slowly regained my strength.
Since I like to read in the Bible until something speaks to me, I read 15 long chapters of detail, after detail, after detail (from how the tabernacle was made to specifics on different kinds of sacrifices), those details didn’t seem to apply to me at all. So, I asked the Lord, “What am I to learn here?” (Exodus 35:4-Numbers 10:20 2).
The word DETAIL came to mind, as did the word commanded (which is repeated 48 times throughout those chapters). GOD was definitely interested in the DETAILS. HE had given clear cut directions in how to do each project. It was just as HE took precise care, down to the smallest DETAIL of each of the vast array of brilliantly colored wildflowers HE had made, and the astounding capabilities (that scientists are not able to reproduce) that HE built into the minute mosquito.
Therefore, it is easy to detect, GOD is always concerned with the DETAILS.
In those chapters, GOD had commanded things to be done in a specific way and HE made sure it was recorded, that the ones doing the work, did everything just as HE commanded. That is, until we get to that last chapter. In that chapter, two men chose to one up GOD (to do something more than GOD had said to do). And GOD was thrilled, right? NO!
Nadab and Abisha were like Cain. Although Cain had the example/ the pattern, of how GOD wanted things done, he thought his idea was better, so did things his own way (Genesis 3:21, 4:3-7). GOD did not accept Nadab and Abisha’s sacrifice, just as he had not accepted Cain’s. The fact is, their action was so offensive to GOD, HE immediately killed them.
Extreme? It might seem so on the surface, but throughout scripture we find that when GOD is beginning a new work, HE sets standards and consequences so that the ones following after will know the right way to do things (Acts 5:1-11).
But how does this apply to you and me?
JESUS was perfect and never sinned, and we are told to fix our eyes on JESUS the Author (leader- HE leads us in the way we should go), and Perfecter (the ONE making us perfect or complete) of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2-3, 7:25).
JESUS was, and is, very GOD; the ONE who threw the stars into space, that ONE who said “Let there be light and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). JESUS is the brightness of GOD’s glory, the express image of HIS person and HE upholds all things in the universes by the word of HIS power (Hebrews 1:2,3). By seeing HIM, we see FATHER GOD (John 14:9-10). Yet, while on earth, in HIS human body, JESUS our all-powerful, all wise Creator, said not one thing HE had not first heard GOD the FATHER say; nor did JESUS do anything that HE had not seen the FATHER do (John 5:30, 6:38, 8:16, 14:10).
That is what HE asks of us (Romans 12:1). Huh? I have to check out everything? That is a bitter pill. It goes against our culture, against the way we think here in the USA. Our motto seems to be, “I will do it my way!”
Yet, are we greater than our Master? (Matthew 10:24,25a, Luke 6:40).
What about you? What about me? Do we go to GOD with our own ideas, expecting for GOD to act, calling it faith? The word says, “Faith comes by hearing a hearing by the word (rhema- that inner word spoken in our hearts) of GOD” (Romans 10:17). We actually need to hear what GOD says on the subject before we can have faith.
Isaiah 45:11 “Thus says the LORD…ask of me concerning…and (then) you can command the work of MY hands.”
The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY says, “I know the plans I have for you (Jeremiah 29:11), those plans go down to the DETAILS. Step by step HE will lead us. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in ALL your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path. Be not wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7a).
Looking unto JESUS, the Author and Perfecter of my faith.
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 