Tag: God

A Prayer for SIL, Day 44

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Jesus, may Your Spirit minister to SIL as she sleeps tonight. Bring her hurt parts into good health. Remove her hardened heart and replace it with a soft heart that is focused on You.

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statues and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:25-27

Lord, as SIL responds to Your Spirit, I pray You clean her, remove her hard heart and give her a heart of flesh so that she will walk in Your way and she will be careful to obey Your rules.

In Your Cleansing Name,

Amen.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 41

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Jesus, I lift SIL up to You again. Hold her in Your arms. Heal her scars and the hidden festering wounds that bind her. Fill her need to be loved with Your love. Give her the strength to act on the things she should or needs to do.

So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Colossians 1:10-11

God, I pray that SIL will walk in a manner worthy of You, fully pleasing to You, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of You. May she be strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might. And may she endure with patience and joy.

In Your Glorious Might,

Amen.

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 7 – The Toads

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

The loud croaking of toads – I mean the LOUD croaking of toads drew me towards the plastic fish pond next to the larger dug-out pond. I had drained and cleaned the smaller one in preparation of lining it when I lined the larger pond but then abandoned it when the lining wasn’t long enough to cover both. My neglect was evident as I looked into the muddy rain water that now dirtied the pond. Clay is horrible to clean. It stains everything it touches. Because I had not protected the pond, I would now have to drain it again and ruin more towels when the new liner arrived.

I turned to go back to laying rocks around the big pond but the croaking interrupted me again. Where were those toads?

And then I saw them. Nine toads had fallen or jumped into the plastic pond. Apparently they couldn’t jump back out so it was up to me to rescue them. But how was I supposed to get them out? The bottom of that pond was too low for me to reach from where I stood. I didn’t really want to step into the water – shoes or no shoes. And they completely ignored the branch-ramp I carefully set in the pond.

Then I saw the fish net. Perfect. In minutes the toads were happily doing their thing among the plants in the larger pond.

Just like my neglect in securing the plastic pond caused a problem for the toads, our neglect in life can cause problems for other people. Broken promises to help someone in need can cause that need to remain unmet because the person was counting on us to meet it. Leaving early or not showing up for our shift serving at the food pantry can leave the group shorthanded. Inconsistently attending a Bible study and asking the group to catch us up on what we missed causes the whole group to lose momentum.

Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. Proverbs 18:9

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 1 Timothy 4:14

But the ones most affected by our procrastination and neglect, especially of something God called us to do, are ourselves. Not taking every thought captive to obey Christ can trap us in old thinking patterns and sin.  Inconsistently reading the Bible or not putting into action what we read keeps us from growing spiritually. Neglecting meeting with other believers or in going to church puts us in danger of growing cold and eventually being deceived into wrong beliefs.

Rationalization, justification, explanation – it doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that something that should be done isn’t. God calls that disobedience.

Hear instructions and be wise, and do not neglect it. Proverbs 8:33

What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? Matthew 21 28-31

And disobedience has dire consequences.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

In the case of my pond, I couldn’t finish it along with the other because I didn’t have the materials I needed. But that doesn’t excuse the way I left it. I could have covered it and protected it from the rain which would have protected the toads. Which reminds me of yet another of Jesus’ parables.

When the unclean spirits have gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. Luke 11:24-26a

Let’s take care of the jobs we have been given, and hopefully we won’t find later on that nine toads have moved into our lives.

More Scriptures:

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. James 1 22-24

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 4 – Digging Deeper

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After days of hard work, digging, chopping, and hauling away wheel barrels of heavy, moist clay, I had finally finished. The last step had been to remove the wall of clay between the old and the new areas.  With great anticipation I walked a few feet away and turned to look at the one great big pond I had envisioned.

But instead of the self-satisfaction I expected, all I felt was dismay.

I had thought I had dug deep enough.

I had thought my work was sufficient.

I had thought I was finally ready to line the larger pool area. But with the border removed, I could clearly see that the new section was not near as deep as the old section. I had a dilemma. Should I leave it as is or continue digging?

Immediately my mind began rationalizing.

  • It’s bigger than the fish used to have.
  • I’ve already spent days on this. My body is sore. At my age, I should be careful not to overextend myself.
  • The sooner I can get the fish out of the tubs and into the pond, the better. Especially with the surprising forecast of snow in the near future.
  • The fish can all squish into the small deeper area next winter. They will be fine.

Swirling around these justifications, like the hint of a sweet aroma, came some other thoughts.

  • The fish need a deeper place to live.
  • The depth provides protection from birds and extreme temperatures.
  • Don’t be lazy. Do what needs to be done. It’s the right thing to do.
  • Don’t accept inadequate work just because your body wants to be finished.

I had a choice to make. Keep digging or accept it for what it was and move on. The battle was between my flesh and the needs of the fish. And it was a battle. I really REALLY wanted to move on. Everything in me shouted to move on. It was just this soft voice whispering, “What about the needs of the fish?” that kept me from putting down my shovel.

Finally I made a decision. I went inside for a nap.

How many times in life do we face the same choice? Give in to our flesh or meet the need of someone else? How many times do we rationalize that what we did was enough when deep down we know we could do better, or that more was needed? How many times do we try to get by doing the least we can do? The bible has something to say about this.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23 (or in my case, for fish.)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

“Whatever you do” mean just what it says. Everything we do, not just what we might consider most important to us. Not just what we feel like doing. Everything. Playing with our children. Visiting an elderly neighbor. Working at our job. Giving to the needy. Quiet time with God. Going to church. Cleaning house. Helping someone who is struggling. Nurturing a friendship.

And digging deeper.

Sigh. I hear You, God.  I’ll get the shovel.

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 3 – Tubs

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

I wonder what the fish were thinking as the ground vibrated with each thump of the shovel. The serenity that they had once enjoyed in their crowded home now shattered with unexplained disruptions. Not only that, but the giant shadow that provided food had come more often but no new food ever appeared.

Did the confusion of the fish turn to apprehension as they were chased around the pond with a net in the decreasing amount of water and then deposited into small tubs?  If they were crowded before, they were now packed almost fin to fin. No more swimming laps around the pond. In this new place, they barely have room to swish their tails five times. Not only that, but they are covered by a net to keep them from jumping out and to keep them safe from birds and the neighbor’s cat.

Did they feel their world had been turned upside down?

Do we ever feel like our world has been turned upside down?

There are times we will be confined or put in a place we don’t like. It may feel like life is horrible. Cancer, losing our job, death of a loved one and the destruction of our house in a hurricane are all bad causes of forced changes. But sometimes that turmoil comes from happy events such as a wedding, birth of a child, or high school graduation. In each case, we may feel helpless, out of control, and out of place. Our peace is gone. Our familiar provision is gone. Our home is gone. So what do we do?

Do we jump out of our new circumstances and try to crawl our way back to our old familiar ones? Do we give up and just sink to the bottom in despair? Do we get angry and refuse to eat? Do we try to relieve our angst by attacking other people?

Or do we trust that the God who promised to be with us always is still in control?

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

Can we say along with Paul…

…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger. Philippians 4:11b-12

Remember –

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Let us trust our wise and loving Father no matter which season and circumstance we are in.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 2 – Digging

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

The ground was wet and sticky in some places, yet hard and unyielding in other places. I stared at it, panting as I leaned on my shovel. I was used to the sandy soil of where I had spent most of my life, but this red clay was a whole new ball game. Who would have thought digging a hole would be this hard? Or that wet clay sticks to the shovel so tightly? I had been digging for hours, and I was not even halfway done. I wanted to give up. I wanted to walk away. But when I looked at the fish in their outgrown pond, I knew I couldn’t. It would be cruel to leave them as crowded as they are. With a big sigh, I straightened and carefully stepped back into the partially dug out pond extension.

As I dug, Isaiah 29:16 came to mind.

You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

How difficult are we as God digs to mold us into something He can use?

When we gave our lives to Jesus, we gave Him the authority to make us into His image. Little by little we are shaped.

There are places in our lives where He scrapes away just enough to level us. Our weekly quiet time at the beach is replaced with people who need us, balancing our focus on ourselves with focus on others. A change in our job position requires us to seek Him more fervently, balancing our self-sufficiency with need for His help.

But there are times when He digs deep. It is disappointing when we no longer have the physical ability to do the things we love. It hurts when a close friend suddenly moves away. And it’s confusing when He tells you to get rid of all your dragons, including your favorite book series.

How do we respond? Do we resent and fight the changes? Do we hang on tight to what He is trying to remove? Do we grumble and wish for our old lives like the Israelites did? Do we despair because everything feels like a mess? Or do we trust that He knows what He’s doing and that it’s for our good?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

As we yield time and time again, we may think the process is unending, but there will come a day when it will be complete.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

After several days of digging, I looked down at the hole I had dug. Looking at it filled me with a mixture of satisfying pride and despair. So much had been done. So much more to do. But for now it was time to rest.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Note: I know I may be using these scriptures slightly out of context, but they are valid. We do tend to complain when God is molding us, He does have good plans for us, He will complete the work He has begun in us, and He does promise us rest in Him. Selah.

A Prayer for SIL, Day 3

On By LindaIn prayersLeave a comment

Lord, calm the battle that swirls in and around SIL. Open her ears to the truth so that she can be freed. Bless the efforts she makes and call her to Yourself for healing and counsel. Jesus, she needs to be rescued as much as I did when You saved me. If this battle is one of her own making in which the enemy is taking advantage, show her what she’s doing that needs to be addressed. She can’t repent if she thinks nothing is her fault. She may feel as if she’s a helpless victim but she is not. Lord, if she is being convicted by the Holy Spirit for something, I pray You strengthen and enlighten her to see it so that she can confess what needs to be confessed, be forgiven, and be set free to walk with You. Keep her safe, Lord, in all of this.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9

Lord God, I pray that Your grace will bring salvation to SIL, that You train her to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and enable her to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life in these troublesome times as she waits for Your glorious appearing. Jesus, You gave Yourself to redeem us – I pray that you redeem SIL from all lawlessness, and that You purify her for Yourself to be zealous for good works.

In You Glorious Name,

Amen.

Wedding Vows Can Be Hazardous to Your Marriage Part 4 Marriage God’s Way

On By LindaIn My ThoughtsLeave a comment

The Bible has a lot to say about marriage. When to get married, when not to get married, why get married, the roles of each spouse, and how to treat each other. Based on this, marriage must be either important to God or problematic for people. I think it’s both.

Marriage is important to God because it is a picture of Jesus’ relationship with us, His church. The love and faithfulness, service and fellowship that He gives and wants in return is how He planned marriages to be – with one big difference: He is faithful even when we are not.

Marriage is problematic for people for two reasons. One is because we are generally self-centered. Whether we realize it or not, we live as if the world revolves around us. If we go into marriage with this mindset, we will eventually feel let down or betrayed.

The other reason is our expectations. We may serve people for a time – food banks, mission trips, volunteer opportunities – not expecting much in return. We may look to others – friends, family, nonprofits, government – to meet our needs knowing they may not always be able to. But we tend to expect more out of our spouses even though they have the same weaknesses as everyone else. Could that higher expectation be part of the reason?

In biblical marriages we are encouraged to treat each other as Jesus treats us – not as we treat each other. We are encouraged to look to Jesus to fill all our needs – not expect our spouse to carry that load. We are encouraged to forgive each other like Jesus forgives us – daily, without holding a grudge, and without keeping score. And we are encouraged to serve each other, to think of our spouse over our own desires – like Jesus did for us when He lived and died for us.

What would happen if we entered into a marriage with these goals in mind? How would our vows be shaped by these goals?

 That’s what I will explore in the final part, Part 5.

Scriptures

For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name Isaiah 54:5a  

For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. Isaiah 54:5 

 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:7-9

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 2 Corinthians 11:2

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Heb 13:4

Husbands love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctity her, having cleansed her by the washing of water and the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

Wedding Vows Can Be Hazardous to Your Marriage Part 1 Overview

On By LindaIn My ThoughtsLeave a comment

We’ve all heard them. Sweet, love filled promises from one person to another before saying “I do.”  Some are serious, others are humorous. Some are long, some are short. Some are read from papers in trembling fingers, others are recited from the heart. But they all have one thing in common: the person saying them truly believes what they are saying. And usually, so does the recipient.

The promises in wedding vows – to always be there, to support, to respect, love, and encourage each other, etc. – are not in themselves bad. It’s okay to say and pursue them, but when we put our hope and trust in them, it can create expectations that might not be sustainable. What happens when jobs are lost, spouses lie or cheat, life goals change and conflict with each other, and love grows cold? What happens to the marriage when these wonderful-sounding expectations aren’t met?

Another problem in many wedding vows is that they are self-focused. “I love you because you make me feel good.” I love you because you encourage me with I’m feeling down.” I love how your smile lights up my heart.” If a person goes into a marriage with the expectation that their spouse fills their needs, what happens when the spouse gets sick or depressed or busy or overwhelmed – and can no longer meet these needs?

Third, vows are usually easy to keep in the early years. Then children arrive. And jobs are lost. And illnesses rage. And interests change. And more children arrive. And temptations sneak in. The promises made in the beginning are forgotten in the stress of managing busy lives. What used to makes us smile about the other becomes buried under layers of disappointments, failures, and age-related physical and mental changes.  We trusted that our partner would make our lives better and be there when things were tough. But as the years go by, little by little, one small failure after another, resentment and accusations can slowly creep into our hearts – and often out of our mouths. “You promised to make me smile every day! Well, I’m not smiling now as you play golf leaving me to struggle with our bills.”

The high divorce rate in this country, even in Christian marriages, is evidence of broken promises and unfilled expectations.

So should we set up our marriages to fail from the beginning by making promises we can’t keep? There are many warnings in the Bible about keeping vows made to God, and I would think that vows made in the deliberate presence of God would carry a similar weight. So, should vows be eliminated from a wedding?

No, I don’t think so. But I do think they should be changed.

  • Promises of what you will do in the future? You don’t know what the future holds.
  • Reasons why you love the person you’re marrying? Those reasons may become moot as your spouse changes.
  • Ways your feel loved by your future spouse? Those reasons may become buried under the concerns and burdens of everyday life.

It’s okay to describe when you knew you wanted to get married or how the other person makes you feel in the present. It’s okay to state what you want to do in the future for the other person. But none of these should be promises. Instead, what if we focused on what God will do? He’s the only one who can fulfill all of His promises and meet all of our needs.

What if a wedding vow sounded more like this:

I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to be with you in good times and bad. I want to help you when you are down, and celebrate with you when you are up. I want to support you, grow with you, and live your dreams with you. The best way I know to accomplish this is by the strength and help that God gives me. Therefore, I promise to always keep God the center of our marriage. I promise to abide in Jesus so that I will be able to love you with the love and strength He provides. I promise to obey God’s word as it relates to marriage, and to be accountable to you for that. I promise to pray for you and for our marriage each day. Looking to Jesus to strengthen me, equip me, counsel me, and to meet all my needs, I will be free to serve you without expecting anything back. I will be free to love you as you are and as you will be as you grow and change. Together, with Jesus, I look forward to walking into the future with you.

Stay tuned for Part 2 – saying the quiet part out loud.

Scriptures:

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:13-17

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

And my God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isiah 41:10

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence… 2 Peter 1:3

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work… 2 Corinthians 9:8

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

Me Do It!

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, My ThoughtsLeave a comment
Photo by Polesie Toys on Pexels.com

My heart hurt as I watched my two-year-old granddaughter’s growing frustration as she struggled to fit a plastic shape into its hole. She had gotten the star and heart shapes into their openings but the triangle just wouldn’t fit into the square opening. She had gone from sliding the triangle back and forth across the opening to trying to force it with every bit of small might she had. I yearned to share my knowledge with her but each offer to help was met with a defiant, “No! Me do it!”

“There’s a special hole for each shape…” I started only to be interrupted with, “No! Me do it!”

“You can’t fit a triangle into…”  was cut off with “No! Me do it!”

“Here, let me show you…” was answered with a growl. “No! Me do it!”

So I sat back and let her work. If only she would listen.

Angry tears now filled her eyes as she pushed even harder. Failing that, she began slamming the poor triangle onto the opening. Over and over she tried. Over and over she failed until she couldn’t stand it anymore.

With a scream, she threw the triangle across the room.

I held out my arms. “Come here, baby.” Sobs racked her tiny body as she clung to me. Sitting there on the floor, I rocked her until her breathing slowed, her tears dried, and she was once again at peace.

You would think that the next time she played with that toddler toy set, she was more willing to allow me to help her. But no.  Again she insisted on doing it herself, getting upset in the process, and ending in my lap sobbing out her frustration.

Eventually, one day, she accepted my help. Then, with a triumphant smile, she gently pushed the triangle piece into the triangle opening.

I wonder if we don’t do the same thing to God. He knows how things work. He knows how to solve problems. But we think we can figure it all our on our own. We think if we work hard enough and long enough, we can solve all our problems. We ignore God’s way to create our own way.

When we do this as an individual, it’s called rebellion.

When we do this as a society, it’s called humanism.

This is Google’s summary of humanism based on American Humanist Association’s definition: Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that emphasizes human reason, ethics, and agency to find meaning and fulfillment. It is a secular worldview that affirms individual dignity and social responsibility, using science, art, and compassion to create a more just and compassionate world. Humanism does not include supernatural beliefs or theistic views. 

In other words, humanism, which is rampant through every part of society, is mankind saying to their Father, “Me do it!”

Why do we humans continue to strive to become equal to God regardless of the consequences? Didn’t Adam and Eve teach us anything?

Why do we humans think we know better or can do better than the One who created us? Cain certainly tried, and failed.

Why do we humans repeatedly try to serve a holy God our way like the Israelites did when moving the Ark of the Covenant?  Uzzah paid the price for that.

Why do we humans insist on creating an image of God that pleases us but not Him? The golden calf should have been a clear warning.

Why do we humans keep looking to ourselves to fill our needs? David knew from experience who to trust.

Why do we humans fight so hard to be independent of God? It never worked out well for the Israelites.

Some people have said: “Oh, that just happened in the Old Testament. Today is different.”

Is it?

Adam and Eve

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,[b] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. Gen 3:4-7

Cain

In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:3-7

The Golden Calf

And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” Exodus 32:4-10

The Ark of the Covenant

And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold 5 and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark. Exodus 37:3-4

And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry. Numbers 4:15

So Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service. And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.  But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were charged with the service of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulder.  Numbers 7:6-9

David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:1-7

Trust in God

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:6-8