Listen! Act! Walk!

On Sunday, we read the passage in Leviticus where God had Moses do what seemed to be a very strange ritual:

Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Leviticus 8:23

God does not give us any clues in that passage as to exactly why He chose that particular way of performing the consecration of Aaron and his sons. However, it is reasonable to conclude that there was a lot of symbolism involved. With our ears, we listen. With our hands we act or do. With our feet we walk or go.

So the message to Aaron and his sons (and to all of us as well) is clear. We must listen, act, and walk every minute and every day of our lives.

We must listen to what God is saying. Not just when He says what we want to hear. Not just when we find ourselves in a tight situation and need His help or guidance. Not just when we are confused. We must listen.

Isn't it interesting that God had Moses anoint Aaron's ear first? And after the ear, THEN the thumb and the big toe.

To me that suggests that we need to listen FIRST and then, and only then, will we act and go.

After we have heard God tell us what to do or where to go, then we must obey. But the listening is critical in order to do the right thing or go the right place.

Listen. Act. Walk. That pretty much sums up our entire life, doesn't it?

What are your thoughts? Talk to me!

Who Needs Holiness Anyway?

On Sunday, we talked about the Israelites and their hot and cold commitment to the God who had brought them out of Egypt.

It would seem that they had some "stinkin' thinkin" about their calling as God's chosen people.

• They wanted the "perks" of being God's chosen, but didn't want to obey Him.
• They lacked commitment.
• They doubted God, even after experiencing His hand in their lives over and over.
• They lost their focus time and time again, even after recommitting time and time again.
• They acted much more like the Egyptians that they left behind than they did the people God wanted them to be.
  
• They wanted to do things in the way that they saw as best.
• They didn't want God "messing" with the parts of their lives that had nothing to do with worship and sacrificial rituals.
• They wanted God to leave them be except, of course, when they were in a pickle and needed Him to rescue them.

Sound familiar? Do you see these things in your life or in the lives of those around you? As a pastor, I have seen a lot of those "Israelite traits" in those that I have come in contact with. I see people who compartmentalize their lives and live their lives according to the rules of "Egypt" (our culture) and not according to the word of God. I see people who have a tough time committing to God and sticking with that commitment.

When we think about faithfulness and love for God in terms of a marriage covenant, hopefully it opens our eyes to what the Lord requires of us. Not part time faithfulness. Not faithfulness for a season. Not hot and cold. Just like those things would not work very well in a marriage, so they do not work in our relationship with God. He wants all of us, all of our lives, complete obedience and faithfulness, and total devotion to Him. Nothing less will do.

How is your devotion to God? Does He have all of you? Does He own every area of your life? Do you run to God when you need something, but run amok when things are going smoothly?

Comments? Questions? Talk to me!

From Desperation to Destination

On Sunday we looked at Exodus 14:10-15. You have to admit that the Israelites were in a pretty desperate situation. They were leaving their lives as slaves in Egypt and headed to the land that God had promised them. Out in the middle of nowhere pretty much. Stopped cold because the Red Sea is in front of them. No bridge. No B.A.R.T. No ferry boat. The only way across, it would seem, would be to walk across. Hmmm, a real problem, eh?

Then they look behind them and on the horizon they see Pharaoh and his army bearing down on them. They were suddenly focused on their past. At that point panic and pandemonium ensued. Here's what the Bible says:

"As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!'"

Now, you have to admit you might have done the same thing in those circumstances. The word on the street was, "People, we have a problem! Now what?" But Moses is clear in his resolve. The Lord had led them to where they were now, and the Lord would not be abandoning them any time soon. Read what Moses said to these people of little faith.

"Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.'"

Now I have to wonder if Moses had to seriously work on controlling himself to not lash out at them. But instead, he reassured them that God was with them and would fight for them. But then God had a word for Moses:

"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.'''

It sounds to me like God was saying something like, "Moses, this is not the time to be encouraging them to stand. This is NOT the time to be talking about faith. This is the time to move out. I already told you that you were going to the promised land. Maybe you should be ACTING like you're gonna reach the destination instead of TALKING about reaching it. Head 'em up and move 'em out, Moses!"

It occurs to me that Moses could have stood there all day long building them up, reminding them of God's hand in getting them out of Egypt, and speaking encouragement to them, but (knowing the Israelites like we do) I doubt whether they would have felt any better. Their focus was on the desperate situation of Pharaoh's army chasing them. What would build their faith more than to move out and see God's hand do a mighty act on their behalf?

Quit talking, and start moving!

So the question is, what do you need to move on? What do you need to let go of from your past in order to move forward into the destination God has for you? Where is your focus? Is it on your past, or is it on your faith and what God has called you to?

Comments, please?