Friday, March 2, 2012

SOAP 03/02/2012; Numbers 31:49-50

Today's reading: Numbers 30,31; Mark 9

S)"49 and they said to Moses, 'Your servants have taken a census of men of war who are in our charge, and no man of us is missing. 50 So we have brought as an offering to the LORD what each man found, articles of gold, armlets and bracelets, signet rings, earrings and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD.'"

Numbers 31:49-50 (NASB)

O) This is interesting to me. It's such a contrast to what I see more often. The men of war had done very, very well. So well, in fact, that not a single person of the 12,000 who went out, didn't make it back (whether or not any died is unclear, but at least no MIA). But their response isn't that they should receive some extra award or commendation, their response is that they owe this to God.

A) Pride tells me that when I do a good job, I should be rewarded. If I do well, even in something that God commands me to do, I should have something good coming my way, either from God directly, or in some roundabout way. This is rubbish, though. I need to remain humble to realize that I can only do a good job if God blesses what I am doing. If I do a good job, I should be nothing but thankful, especially to the LORD, for making it even possible for me to do well in the first place.

P) Father, You've given me certain talents and abilities. In humility, I acknowledge that and thank You for them. Help me to honor You by doing a good job in everything I'm called to do; in fact, help me do a good job in everything I do, whether or not it seems like ministry at the time. Holy Spirit, continue to humble me when I fail to humble myself. Let everything I do reflect the goodness of the Father who has blessed me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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