Thinking Ahead

How does one protect him/her self from making bad decisions when thinking about relationships?

Numbers 36 “Forward Thinkers”

How do you make wise decisions? Do you seek scripture? Do you seek the wisdom of your elders/church leaders? Do you spend time in prayer? The courageous daughters of Zelophehad had wisely gone to Moses about their dad’s inheritance since he had no sons. The Lord instructed that these five daughters should be given the rights that would have gone to a son.

But now we see that the tribal leaders approached Moses about how to protect the inheritance of these five courageous women. As forward thinkers, they saw the handwriting on the wall. There needed to be in place some rules ahead of time so that they would not lose their inheritance from a male from another tribe. Thus Moses established, by the Lord’s wisdom, to place protective hedges around them by which they could only marry in their tribe and the women agreed.  These protective steps would protect their inheritance and Israel’s national heritage.

If only we would follow this advice when we are considering relationships! These tribal leaders cared for these five courageous women just as God wants to protect us. There are two principles: It is wise to think ahead of the “what if’s” before you have to face them head-on. Secondly, remember the question Paul asked: “What does a believer share in common with an unbeliever?” [2Cor 6]

Wise Counsel: (1) Date once to see if they are believers; if not walk away. (2) Marry only a believer to protect the “tribe of Jesus.”

Advertisement

My Hope When I Fall…..

Mark ended his gospel message with hope but there was one disciple who still was lingering and wondering; Peter. Where is he emotionally, spiritually, physically at this time as he considers the possibilities of what may lie ahead? He recoiled at the memory of his courtyard experience where he had denied Jesus three times just as prophesied and had left weeping bitterly. From that point he returned to the only safe haven he knew; with his beloved friends, the disciples who had followed Jesus. John tells us that they were hidden behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. Perhaps they were wondering if they too would be crucified if others found them knowing that their very accents betrayed them. As they sat and mourned the loss of the one they had followed for three years their thoughts did not return to the words of Jesus: “when I am raised, I will meet you in Galilee” but rather their thoughts replayed and rehearsed the past few days and the questions of why, when, how and more. Peter of all would be wondering if ever he could forgive himself and could or would God forgive him? We too have times when we fall and wonder and at these times where we can turn. It is then that we have this promise from Psalm 37:

24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

Did Peter recall these words? We know that John tells us that after Jesus’ resurrection Peter was fully restored…but we are not there yet. Peter yet has to walk the road of misery, mourning, wondering and questioning. But, later he will write what truly happened in his personal letter to those who are suffering. He knows the path and he knows how to encourage. Listen to his words and be encouraged if you too have like Peter experienced a time of falling away: “His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Today, if you are walking with Peter through the agony of dismay, discouragement, despondency for having fallen in some way; take heart, when you repent there is hope. Where there is hope there is joy. Where there is joy there is peace and God’s protection. It is then that the rest of Psalm 37 rings forth with words of comfort and peace: Trust in the Lord, Delight yourself in the Lord, Commit your way to the Lord; Rest in the Lord. This is our journey back to God.

 

Divine Protection

God’s chosen and redeemed people have this promise found in Psalm 34:7 “The Lord’s angel camps around the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them.” As NT believers we have the indwelling Holy Spirit that will encamp around us as if we had a hedge about us. Even Satan said to God about Job “Have you not made a hedge around him…” Yes, Beloved, we can trust in our God that because he loves us he has chosen to put a hedge about us to protect us just as a parent puts a hedge about their child. But, as believers we are given a choice to stay behind that hedge of protection or we can step out and then we are left defenseless against the foes of darkness.

Exodus 23:20 “I am going to send an angel before you to protect you as you journey and to bring you into the place that I have prepared. Take heed because of him, and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgressions, for my name is in him. But if you diligently obey him and do all that I command, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will be an adversary to your adversaries.”

There are some principles we can glean and practically apply to our lives today from these verses in Exodus. One is that we are to beware of him–or to fear him. We remember from Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Secondly, we are to obey his voice for in his voice are the words of wisdom. Again this is the voice of wisdom and discernment. Thirdly, we are not to provoke him for “my name is in him.”

So how does this fit with the NT indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit? We recall two verses: 1Thess 5:19 “Do not quench the Spirit;” and Eph 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Thus the same OT principles apply to the NT believer. The Holy Spirit is given to us to guide and protect us. He is within us speaking “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

Beloved, is there some place you have stepped out from behind the hedge of protection that the Lord has placed around you? Know this: you are now open and vulnerable to the arrows of the enemy, the adversary. Quickly run and hide behind the loving protection of the Holy Spirit. Put your armor on Beloved and stand strong. The indwelling illuminating Holy Spirit is your protection and he desires one thing: obedience that he may bring you into God’s loving presence pure and holy. Will you take heed of his voice? Will you obey him?