Exodus 32, Leviticus 26, Numbers 11, 14, Deuteronomy 4, 8
So, Moses has been on Mount Sinai for over a year talking to God... and the Israelites get bored. They create their own god in the shape of a calf.
This story has always amazed me. In fact, this whole generation blows my mind. They saw the 10 plagues, they crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, every day they receive food out thin air... AND they see Moses talking to God.
And they can't be patient and wait to hear what God has to say. They make their own god. Blows my mind...
But then again, I'm a pastor and often times God isn't my number one priority. God has been talking to me about something for over a year now and I still haven't obeyed Him. I'm not much different than those Israelites.
So God gives them all these laws and rules... and then God gives them the future consequences. Obey and you will live in peace and be blessed. Disobey and God will correct you.
And within a couple months of hearing Moses' report from God... the Israelites choose disobey. Some people have to learn the hard way.
The problem is that this generation never learns. They complain about free food and run away from the Promised Land.
I wish I didn't have to be one of those people who learn the hard way. Why can't I just hear God Word and do what He says? Why do I always have to try (and fail) Brent's way one, two, three, fifty times before I obey God?
Deuteronomy 4 and 8 are very similar. Pretty much Moses is saying Obey God... Don't Forget God! When things are going poorly, obey God. When things are going great, obey God.
I think the hardest thing in life is handling success properly. Almost every single person who gets some success becomes prideful. Especially this author.
Pride is something I have always struggled (I wish I knew a word more powerful than struggle... maybe battled) with. I want to share a quick story where God really punched me in the face about this.
So, I was in Brazil with my youth group on a mission's trip. It was the last night where our group was doing skits and giving testimonies. I was speaking last and going to present the gospel. I had my speech all planned out. I was going to use 4 different Bible verses to share the gospel.
But I followed 3 testimonies and each of them used 1 of the 4 verses, so I was down to 1 verse. When I(we) finished, a few women came forward and accepted Christ as Savior. It was awesome to see God work.
But... Brent was kind of unhappy. The other teens had "stolen my thunder." God worked everything out and I was mad that it didn't go the way I planned. We got back to the place we were staying and I will still kind of upset.
And then I was using the bathroom and thinking about it and I came to this realization... it's not about me. It is about God. I came downstairs and joined the rest of the team for nighttime devos and just apologized to everyone for my attitude.
It was a good first step in a lifetime battle with my pride and love for Brent. It still isn't easy, but I am constantly dying to myself and giving God His glory.
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