As a man thinks in his heart…

‘...There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.’ (Numbers 13:33 NKJV)

I had been so fascinated by the incidence that finally broke the Carmel’s back (so to speak) in the wilderness of Paran (Numbers 13). I had read this story so many time in my life but it was now making some profound impact in my spiritual journey.

As a man thinks in his heart so he shall be. The Israelite elders believed they were grasshoppers in their own sight, and also felt their enemies sees them as such... so they became paralysed with fear. I couldn't just imagine why this people would see themselves like that when they had God fighting and protecting them. They were full of murmuring and complaint all the time! As I studied the Israelites’ wilderness journey, I saw them as spoilt pertinent children who would never be satisfied no matter what God did for them. It’s all about me…me…me.

Just to read how God provided and protected them showed the depth of His love for them. Despite the challenges they might have been facing; harsh terrain, no water, no meat, enemies to fight, yet they only needed to ask God (respectfully not with complaints and murmuring) and He would grant them their wishes but no they complained like little children (God still granted them their wish... but oh boy were they punished as well).

To give them a little credit, some of their complaints were from the strangers in their midst '.....Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat’’’? (Numbers 11:4 NKJV). This brings to mind the statement...'Do not be unequally yoked to unbelievers.' However, they still had the choice not to complain.

They did not see themselves as God saw them – His beloved children, whom He loved very much and whom He would care for and protect. They still saw themselves as slaves under the yoke of the Egyptian masters. And because of this it was difficult for them to really comprehend the miraculous work that God had been doing in their midst.

Father, I am thankful for everything you have done for me and are still doing for me. With a grateful heart, I bring my desires to you without murmuring and complaint like a spoilt ungrateful child. Help me to see myself as you see me and not as I see myself.

How about you? Do you see yourself as the loving child of the Almighty God, made righteous by the blood of Jesus? Or are you still pulling yourself down and back with limiting thoughts and mind-set?

Prayer: Father I believe I am loved by You. I believe You are my banner, my Shield, my Strength and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In the Mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Shalom

The film ‘Noah’...wow or urrg

I went to watch the film 'Noah' at the cinema the other day, thinking I would like to see the story come to life on the big screen. It was a great disappointment. I've watched many biblical stories in cinemas that was much better, the script writers might embellish the truth or put their own interpretation to areas that were silent in the Bible but you would still come away feeling it did justice to the biblical story.

But in ‘Noah’, there were factual inaccuracies and audacious inclusion of events that were not in the Scriptures; like Methuselah appearing and discussing with Noah and his family; Noah wanting to kill his grandchildren if they were girls; inaccuracies like only Shem was married when they entered the Ark, the evil King also got into the Ark, Shem's wife giving birth to twin girls, Japheth being a young boy at the time of the flood to mention a few.

If you are a Christian, avoid watching this film! Watch only biblical stories produced and written by 'real' Christians not 'Hollywood Christians'

Having said all that though, the story of Noah, brought to mind the reason God wiped out the world in the first place -'Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually' (Genesis 6:5 NKJV). God preserved eight people to start a new world (sometimes I forget how important this family was for humanity!).,

But, I asked myself did things change afterwards? Maybe for a while but as man began to expand, the sin nature began to take over. Every intent of the thought of man is evil continually.... The heart of man is desperately wicked...

If not for the saving grace of our Lord Jesus, I too would still be under the bondage of sin. Now, by God's mercy, He has poured His love into my heart and has pushed out every evil thought. He has given me His Spirit to enable me and help me to live in this wicked generation as 'a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that I may proclaim the praises of Him who called me out of darkness into His marvelous light; (I Peter 2:9 NKJV). Noah was a second chance for humanity, Jesus Christ is the final chance - through the redemptive work on the Cross, in Christ God has given me the last chance. I will not misuse it.

How about you? What impact has the story of Noah made in your life?

LORD help me to 'be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2 NKJ).....think about whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

As we celebrate the death of Jesus, let’s remember the reason for the season. It is the last chance for humanity.

And oh yeah, if you are thinking about something to do with the family this Easter weekend, the film ‘Son of God’ is in the Cinemas...

Holding God in contempt?

"...Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:9 NKJV)

When I read this bible passage I was floored. This statement was made by Joshua when he and the eleven chosen men went to spy the land of Canaan. Despite the giants in the land, the fortress of the city and the fear inspired report of the other ten men, he and Caleb were confident in the ability of God to help them. What faith!

As I progressed in my bible study goal this year, my spiritual eyes continued to be opened to awesome revelation of the depth of love God had for the people of Israel. As I follow their exodus from Egypt, I still could not comprehend why it was easy for the people to doubt God - He had promised to give them the land 'flowing with milk and honey', they were on the verge of possessing the land but fear and unbelief ensnared them. 

Who cares whether there were giants in the land…after all the miracles, signs and wonder that God wrought for them in the land of Egypt and since their journey started; 

• parting of the Red Sea - 'So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore’(Exodus 14:30 NKJV), 
• meat and bread - “..At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am the Lord your God” (Exodus 16:12 NKJV), 
• water from the rock - "...Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink” (Exodus 17:6 NKJV),
• victory over the Amalekites in the wilderness of sin - “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” (Exodus 17:6, 14 NKJV).

The people saw all these with their eyes (as we say in my native language- korokoro eyes), they were not told stories but they were part of the experience, yet they still doubted the awesome power of the Almighty God.

Joshua, the son of Nun had the right attitude... Do not fear he said... this people are our bread. They are nothing....they have no protection.....the LORD is with us.

Having experience God first hand like this, one would expect all of them to have the same confidence like Joshua and Caleb but no- '......the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night.’ (Numbers 14:1 NLT).

What can I learn from this? I got insight from God's response 'And the lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them? But as surely as I live, and as surely as the earth is filled with the LORD’s glory, not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice. They will never even see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have treated me with contempt will ever see it. But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land. (Numbers 14:1, 11, 21-24 NLT).

When we refuse to believe the word of God.. we are holding Him in contempt. Trusting in God is being loyal to Him and this brings His blessing and manifestation of His promises in our lives.

I pray that my challenges would not overwhelm me to the extent that I will treat my God with contempt through lack of trust and unbelief.

How about you? Do you still struggle with trusting God despite the number of times you have experienced His faithfulness in your life?

Prayer: Father, help me to be like Joshua and Caleb when I am faced with challenges that seems impossible. Let me trust in you and remember your help in ages past. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Shalom