S) "2 and they said, 'Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?' And the Lord heard it."
Numbers 12:2 (NASB)
O) The first thing to acknowledge in the rebellion of Aaron and Miriam, is that they spoke the truth. In verse 1, we read that they spoke against Moses regarding the nationality of his wife. They were not lying, as Moses had indeed married a Cushite woman. Then, in verse 2, they contended that God had spoken through them as well (which He had, since Aaron was a mouth piece to Moses during the exile from Egypt, and Miriam herself was called a prophetess in Exodus 15:20). The problem was not the words they spoke, but the heart they had in the words they spoke. They were angry that they were not allowed to do what they wanted to do. We are not told the details of their desires, but the context of their words showed that they wanted to be equals with Moses (if not his superior). They were unsatisfied with the position where God put them. Despite the truthful expression of their words, God was looking at their heart, and He judged accordingly (see vv.9-10).
A) Speaking truth has a way of making my feelings seem justified. If the words I am speaking are valid, then I can more easily reason that my heart behind those words is also justified. This is a very dangerous game to play, and God refuses to play along. I cannot allow myself to try to justify my feelings with manipulative use of truthful words. This is another area where my heart must be convicted by the Holy Spirit and the Truth of the Bible. By engrossing myself in the Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to convict me of this heart-sin, God will humble me before my pride causes me to stumble and costs me much more in a painful humbling process. God will discipline His children to humble them, and I am no exception. The alternative is that I humble myself before Him in self-discipline (which is of course, through grace as well).
P) Father, You are omniscient, and nothing is hidden from Your sight. You see my heart in all things, and You hear more than the words I speak aloud. Convict me from within, Lord, about more than just the words I speak. Convict me of pride and haughtiness, when I am wrongly ambitious. Help me remain submitted to Your sovereignty, as the sole rightful King of my heart. Sit alone on the throne in my heart, God, and discipline me quickly if I am ever trying to put myself higher than I ought. Help me to find my satisfaction only in You, Lord. Use me as You see fit, and let Your will be done in my life, and on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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