Recovery - It's a God Thing-- July 19, 2010
July 19
Scripture focus: "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"—God's Decree—"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it". Jeremiah 29:13-14 The Message
In my women's bible study, we were talking about how weirdly comforting it is to know that God used some kooky characters to advance his kingdom. Those early children of God would show flashes of brilliance followed by spectacular crash and burn moments.
Moses is a good example of what we have been noticing as we read God's word. He seems pretty special when first we meet him. You remember, don't you? It was during a time when all the Jewish babies were getting killed in Egypt (see the book of Exodus) because the Egyptians were afraid that the Jews were too numerous. They had long since grown forgetful of Joseph - and they did not honor his memory. Instead, they placed the Jewish people into captivity, and then tried to control their numbers by slaughtering their babies. But Moses was special. His Mama managed to keep him alive and even managed to get him adopted into the Pharoah's household. Sounds good, right?
As an Egyptian , Moses had lots of privileges but he never forgot his Hebrew heritage. One day, in a fit of rage, he murdered an Egyptian who was mistreating a Jewish slave. Moses ran away and lived as a goat herder for 40 years. That's bad, isn't it?
One day God appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush and told Moses to go lead his people out of captivity. Wow. That's good news for Moses, right?
It's quite a long but good story. Eventually Pharoah did let the people go, and Moses was their leader. Was this good news? Not for Moses. As leader, he had to listen to all manner of grumbling and mumbling. Despite all Moses' efforts, he himself was not allowed by God to enter the Promised Land. (Another long story dealing with a big rock, water, a stick and Moses not doing what God said.)
Just because we discover our true God-created identity does not guarantee we will always live in obedience to our calling. This is not news to God.
Dwight L. Moody said of Moses, "Moses spent 40 years thinking he was somebody; 40 years learning he was nobody; and 40 years discovering what God can do with a nobody."
Life is a series of ups and downs - that's a fact. But it is always good news when we get serious about finding God.Originally published July 19, 2010.
