Exodus 10.29 29 “Just
as you say,” Moses replied. “I will never appear before you again.
We can’t hear the tone on Moses’s voice. We can’t see the
expression on his face. But something in me heard him say, “As you wish.” Like the grandfather in
The Princess Bride to his grandson as he finished reading the story, and was invited
back the next day to read again. I think Moses’ tone was a bit hushed, or even under
his breath as he turned his back to walk from Pharaoh’s presence. As you wish…
It isn’t about me;
it isn’t about us. There are things
in this world that taunt and torment mentally, physically, or emotionally;
screaming at us as if they hold the upper hand. In the life of the child of God
that is never the case but those things
don’t know that, and can’t conceive of the place God’s child has in this life. God has the upper hand. And we're not to give in.
It’s not as if God wants to flex and demand feasance;
sometimes He just gives us what we want. My friend Roger says God answers
prayer four ways: Yes, No, Wait, and, If you insist. Pharaoh insisted and God gave him what he demanded. All
Moses could say was: Just as you say, I
will never appear before you again. No anger. No defiance. Not even an
exclamation point.
Moses knew Pharaoh had crossed a line. Moses knew, there
was no turning back. Moses knew God was going to give this petty king all that
he had demanded and more. It had become personal to Pharaoh.
And, God does
desire it become personal. God desires a personal relationship with every human
on the planet. God however, sometimes to our dismay, doesn’t act as we would
have Him act; sometimes I think He nods His head somberly and responds: As you wish. It is at that moment when
we should become quite concerned – saint and sinner alike.
God works with those who wish to be worked with. He has never turned down a person who humbly
approaches and asks for His help. His invitation always is we come to Him and
lay our burdens down – even the ones we chose to hold onto.
The lesson for me today is not to push God (or even
attempt to). The lesson for me today is to run in humility before Him and do as
I am supposed to do: bow before Him and
lay my burdens down. And let God be God. I know I’ve done a lousy job of
trying to be god myself. The last thing I want to hear Him say is: Okay son, have it your way. When we bow to
the gods of our own making we shouldn’t be surprised if we get what we want...
Father in Heaven,
today I consider the times when I have pushed my agenda. The maddening part of
the gift of free will is, free. With freedom comes responsibility and with responsibility
comes accountability. And accountability reveals my true heart; where I really
am. Help me today Lord. May I walk humbly in Your way, listening carefully to
Your heart – doing eagerly as You say. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment