I have not written for a few days. I was busy taking a test. In fact, I am still in the middle of taking this test (metaphorically speaking), but thought I would step out of God's classroom for a moment to at least share that much with you. Perhaps later, I will share with you more about this particular test I am in the middle of!!
The Israelite's Wilderness experience was a test: “God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” The wilderness is the time for your faith to be tested and built up through trials by removing all the props (things that sustain you). You don’t know how much you depend on these props, until they are removed. When God takes them, your temptation is to doubt His goodness, His faithfulness, and His provision. Moses continues: “He humbled you, allowed to hunger, and fed you with manna…that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” When you go through your wilderness, you are supposed to get hungrier for the Lord. The Israelites grumbled in their tents because they missed the “leeks and onions” of Egypt. Our whining and complaining are no less petulant! While you are in your wilderness, you will “grumble” and struggle until you let go of your will. But your will must go if you are to be ruled by the Holy Spirit, not by your “self.” Like the Israelites, you cannot get to Canaan while your heart is in “Egypt.” God tests you (deprives you) to show you what is in your heart!
Taking tests is a normal part of life, isnt' it? Tests show you what you know, that is, how much you have learned. In school, a test is given to qualify you for promotion to the next grade. In the workplace, a test is given to qualify you for advancement to greater responsibility. So don’t be surprised when God brings you into a wilderness experience. Tests are a normal part of growth and promotion. And fortunately, God doesn’t give “F’s.” You never really fail God’s tests; you just keep taking them until you pass!
I love reading your blog. I am always encouraged as well as gain deeper insight into our gracious God. Keep on sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Kathy
Greg,
ReplyDelete"Leeks and onions"--what in the world were the Hebrews thinking? OMG!!!
Seriously, though, leeks and onions symbolize flavors that enhance what would ordinarily be bland-tasting food. The Hebrews must have thought they were suffering through some kind of sensory deprivation torture because they were unable to flavor their manna ("tastes like...what IS this stuff?") with something their taste buds were accustomed to. It sounds rather petty and pickyunish and so whiney that it is easy to distance ourselves from their extreme misbehavior. "Hey, I don't even like onions, for crying out loud."
But maybe you have a sweet tooth or love good. dark roasted coffee like I do. Or maybe you have a particular color scheme in your house or you have to purchase designer labelled clothes because you really believe they feel better and look better on you! How about your love for chocolate or for fast cars or athletic competition or how about your favorite TV programs or music styles...?
The above list of questions are all about individual tastes and they all help us to be identified as unique in our soul's expression of itself. But does God want this to die, too? Would He withhold "flavor" from our sensory experience? Perhaps...especially if it became a substitute definition of our spiritual identity.
We are supposed to be defined by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. When we allow Him to deal with us and we follow through with what is required of our flesh--death and burial, but no funeral!--then our identity and need for flavor comes from another source other than our body's and our soul's senses. Consuming the Word of God is an acquired taste, to be sure! But as we condition ourselves to its "flavor" we begin to "season" everything around us and that which comes forth from us!
O taste and see that the Lord is good!"--even in the Wilderness!
Stan
Thanks, Kathy, for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteStan, as I read your comment about 'flavorings' and seasonings come out of us when we read the Word of God, I couldn't help think that we as new creatures in Christ ARE the salt (seasonings) in the world, aren't we!! What great insight that we can't be salty unless we are seasoned in God's Word.