Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
The open air preacher stated his theme. It was ‘Mistakes in the Bible.’ Someone in the crowd yelled out “Good on you preacher, I always knew there were mistakes in the Bible!”
“Yes” said the preacher, “There’s the mistake of Adam, the mistake of Cain, the mistake of the rich young ruler! There are so many mistakes recorded and who made them. In the Bible you’ll find your mistake there too!”
The mistakes we make, in the Biblical terms are not merely misdemeanours. We understand the mistake of imagining we are good enough for God. Romans 3:23 speaks to that. However as a Christian I find I have a recurring mistake which subtly undermines my walk with the Lord. It’s called ‘taking God for granted.’
How? Oh, in so many ways. I expect Him to bless me even when I’m not walking in the light of His word. I pray, not for wisdom to witness for Him in difficult circumstance, but for an escape hatch. I long for God to change people’s attitude but leave mine alone. I wonder why God isn’t pulling out the weeds in my soul, even though I keep opening ‘the packets' they’re stored in and ingesting them.
One thing I’ve learnt about the Lord when I’m in that spiritual wasteland, He won’t leave me that way. He has His ways and means to ‘open my eyes to my condition.’ Sometimes it has been gentle. Sometimes it has been tough. Every-time it has been with love and mercy.
I’m so thankful that our Lord and Saviour will not endure being ‘taken for granted’ for too long. Making us see ourselves as wanderers in a spiritual wasteland is not a pretty sight. Then He points us to the ever-flowing stream of cleansing, refreshing and re-invigorating grace. We do not need to be prisoners of our mistakes, or blackmailed by Satan because me made them. Rather, after being made right with God, let mistakes be stepping stones of praise to God for His care for us.
Ray Hawkins is retired after 30 years as a minister and lives in Tasmania with his author wife, Mary Hawkins.
How? Oh, in so many ways. I expect Him to bless me even when I’m not walking in the light of His word. I pray, not for wisdom to witness for Him in difficult circumstance, but for an escape hatch. I long for God to change people’s attitude but leave mine alone. I wonder why God isn’t pulling out the weeds in my soul, even though I keep opening ‘the packets' they’re stored in and ingesting them.
One thing I’ve learnt about the Lord when I’m in that spiritual wasteland, He won’t leave me that way. He has His ways and means to ‘open my eyes to my condition.’ Sometimes it has been gentle. Sometimes it has been tough. Every-time it has been with love and mercy.
I’m so thankful that our Lord and Saviour will not endure being ‘taken for granted’ for too long. Making us see ourselves as wanderers in a spiritual wasteland is not a pretty sight. Then He points us to the ever-flowing stream of cleansing, refreshing and re-invigorating grace. We do not need to be prisoners of our mistakes, or blackmailed by Satan because me made them. Rather, after being made right with God, let mistakes be stepping stones of praise to God for His care for us.
Ray Hawkins is retired after 30 years as a minister and lives in Tasmania with his author wife, Mary Hawkins.
His books of Biblical meditations include: 31 day devotionals on Children: God’s Special Interest. From Eden with Love (Re Marriage). Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby. Captured by Calvary. Dynamic Ageing. Signposts to Happiness (the beatitudes from Scripture). See them on his blog, ttp://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au
Ray, great post! Thanks for sharing your insights with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks Narelle.:
ReplyDeleteI'll have to remember that "mistakes in the Bible" line!
ReplyDelete