Contemplating My Title
Contemplating the title of my blog that is. Unless the LORD builds the house, those that build it labor in vain. Psalm 127:1a This verse speaks volumes to me. We can work hard. We can do our very best. We think that we are successful. We can get proud. Oh, but pride goes before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 Unless the Lord establishes and blesses our efforts it is all for naught, and we should give credit where credit is due.
In my personal Bible study, I am reading through Numbers. I am amazed at how thick-headed these Israelites are. And then I realize that I am too. The chosen people of God are called on a journey to the Promised Land. They have been freed from a life of slavery! Are they thankful? NO! They keep complaining. We're hungry. Moses petitions God. God provides. We're thirsty. Moses again petitions God. God again provides.
Now, several things have struck me. First, God knows the needs of his people. He wants what is best for them. Why does he not just give it to them in the first place? I think that God wants to show them their need for him. He wants them to realize that everything they have been given is His. It is his gift to them. This is His way of drawing the Israelites to himself. As soon as God is asked to provide for his people, he does so. They should be thankful.They are not. One kind of food is not enough. They want variety. They are not hungry, it is greed!
I've also been thinking about how we want power and glory, but it does not belong to us. The people were complaining of thirst. Moses petitioned God. God tells Moses to strike the rock. Moses strikes the rock alright. He acts as though he had the power to make water come from the rock instead of giving the glory to God. This time, God does not stand for it. Moses is taken from the top position. He will never live to see the Promised Land.
I've been thinking about how much I am like the Israelites. I'm blessed. Every time I have had a true need and petitioned God, he has answered me. But I want more. When things go right, I take the credit instead of giving the glory to God. Oh, how sinful I am!
Lord, thank you for giving me your word so that my eyes may be opened to the error of my ways. May I live only for you each day, and may I remember to acknowledge you to my neighbors, as well as in my own heart. Wash me, Lord, and make me clean that I may enter the Promised Land to enjoy you forever. Amen.
13 comments:
Oh, Tracy you hit the nail on the head. You have been reading my blog for awhile now so you know that this is my biggest struggle-being content and not whining to God about everything that is wrong. However, when something goes right I rarely praise God-I praise myself.
I really admire your honesty and strength in Him. You are such an encouragement and I have to admit positive example.
Great new look!
Susan
Excellent, excellent post!! You are so very correct.
I love the coloring of your blog!!
This is so true, Tracy, and you put it so well. You know, my Godly character for 2007 is satisfaction. Being fully satisfied by God, looking for the right kind of satisfaction, learning to be satisfied in the world but not by it, stuff like that. This gives me something to think about.
During a challenge we need to seek what the Lord intends to teach us in the midst of trial. I did that this week. He wants *me*. He wants me to want Him. Completely.
Excellent post, Tracy!!
Kelli
I just wrote in my blog about contentment, and then I came and visited yours...! Wow! Same topic, same discussion! You put it really well and it has confirmed what God has been telling me the past few days - to rest in Him and let Him work things out how HE wants it, because HE knows what is better for me than I think I do!
Thanks for sharing!
Love,
Joy
I like the new header. It looks great.
Loved this post. Thanks for the great reminder of how we are so blessed by God.
I know I do the same thing...take the credit instead of giving God the glory. So true.
You do put it well, Tracy. I think it's also about this: while you are in the desert (read: any hardships or challenges), do we call out to God? Do we trust God to provide? Or do we complain, grumble, and rebel?
Very good post Tracy!
Tracy, I am with you my dear sister in the Lord. Sometimes I find myself being JUST like the Israelites. I forget so often that it's only by my Father's grace that I can do anything. Nothing good happens without his blessings and faithfulness... Yes, HE must build the house. I can do all I can do, but I must remember that I can't do ANYTHING without him. I need him desperately.
Thanks for your honesty and reminding all of us to humble ourselves before Him. Asking him to forgive us for our pride.
I love the name of your blog! This was my first time here. Good remider about Moses getting prideful, I will ponder that more today.
What a beautiful post, Tracy. I love the title of your blog - it is so true. Unless the Lord does anything, we are utterly hopeless and helpless!
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