Call Me ... Grateful!

I recently re-read the books of Leviticus and Numbers. I'll admit that it's been a while since I last spent the time to read them in their entirety. In the past, while reading these books, I've felt somewhat disconnected. I'm a Gentile so my salvation lies in the richness and grace of the New Testament or the New "Covenant". Previously what I gleaned from these books was not without value - I learned a great deal about the personality, likes and dislikes of our Lord. But I saw it as a history of a people that was not my own under an old covenant that didn't apply to me directly. But this time was different.

Instead of reading these books with a sense of "duty" to do so, this time I was searching with an openness to what richness I might find. The Lord had placed in me a curious desire to read them again and in my little world, that's a signal of a promised blessing. So with a hunger to find the treat that I knew was to come, I began to sift these heavy books with new expectation and as usual I wasn't disappointed.

As a young boy, I loved to read. The Lord had given me an imagination that allowed me to place myself directly into whatever story I might be reading. I felt what they felt, I saw what they saw and in my mind, for countless hours I had the greatest adventures. I'm not sure my Mother realizes even now where the motivation to do some of the crazy things I did as a child came from. But many times I came away from reading one of the classics or an inspirational biography with a sense of exhilaration and an itch for something adventurous. And there were times ... when this got me in trouble. For example, the life stories of Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin led to blown up electronics, much smoke, tripped circuit breakers and a poor panicked Momma who couldn't figure what in the world came over her son. But let's not go there ...

I had never applied this gift to some of the books of the Old Testament. I didn't want to. I mean let's face it, there were times in the lives of the Children of Israel that nobody would want to live vicariously! There were a whole lot of shoes in there that I had no interest in trying on. But that was exactly the compulsion that the Lord was directing me to now. To be honest, I had excitement in my heart to discover what the Lord would reveal to me in seeking out this new blessing ... until I realized where this was going. Not everything good and profitable to my soul is pleasant, but my Father is faithful in His good plans and intentions for me. Still, I suddenly felt a little like the kid sitting at the dinner table staring at that ominous dark green lump of spinach on my plate - certain that this evil looking (dare I say the word) vegetable was probably poison and hearing the words "eat it, it's good for you". But no longer a child, I have strong faith in my Fathers' heart toward me so I obediently complied.

Here's the result. What I discovered has had an impact. It's led me to ask many questions not only of Our Lord, but also of myself. Like:

Q. Would I ever, with no evil intent and in the spirit of doing good things go beyond what the Lord has instructed me to do?

A. Not only possibly, but in my past I'm sure I probably have - Nahab and Abihu did ... and they were turned into briquettes for it. I live yet by His grace.

Q. Would I ever be tempted to complain when I should be grateful?

A. Sadly, I have - So did the Children of Israel. One occasion cost them 40 years of suffering in the wilderness and all who complained were dead before those who were left were allowed to receive the fulfillment of God's promise. For them - game over! I was allowed to ask for, and was granted forgiveness.

Q. Would I ever waver or be troubled to follow exactly the Lord's instruction in the face great anger and resentment?

A. There have been moments when I've struggled with this - Moses did, and after decades of following the Lord's instruction and dealing with the rebellious people of Israel faithfully, he was denied the privilege of finishing his goal of leading them into the promised land.

Q. Would I ever question the Lord's punishment or think it unfair?

A. In Moses case, I did - until I was reminded that "to whom much is given, much is required". I have been allowed to ask for, and have been granted His forgiveness.

Q. Have I ever struggled in my busy life to "find the time" to follow the things that I know I should do before the Lord and the things that He would ask?

A. Again sadly yes - Following the Lord's laws and requirements of the Children of Israel not only consumed, but was their life. Anything else fit in around those things. We are given great favor in that we are not bound by the law. His requirements of us are so simple by comparison. But if we're not fully realizing what was required of the Children of Israel, we have no basis for comparison to become truly grateful. We may feel that we are burdened, but His yoke is light ...

Q. Is there any limit to what I would be willing to do for my God in obedience?

A. In truth, the thoughts of the possibilities of what He could ask, in honest shame makes me cringe at the thought of my own weakness. I cannot answer this one. I can only pray that by His grace, in the hour that He asks, He will provide me with the courage, the faith and the wisdom to obediently comply honorably. But then in contrast to the things He might ask us to do, look at the things that He commanded Israel to do and ask yourself "if it were me, what would I honestly do?" Granted, we live in different time and a different society, but the Children of Israel were commanded to literally slaughter thousands who lived in offense to God. In their time and in their shoes ... what would each of us have done? We are blessed by His grace and kindness to us. By comparison, the things that He asks of us in this day are small ... yet at times we still struggle ... why?


Q. And of the Lord, I can't help but ask again: "Lord, how do you see me? Who am I that you have such patience and such deep and abiding love for me?"

A. The answer, I seek in earnest ...

There was much more that the Lord provoked in my thoughts while reading this part of scripture this time around. Much to be recognized and much to be grateful for. These days, having a better understanding of the closeness of our kinship (if you're not understanding what I'm referring to, see "The Empty Place Setting" on my blog page), it increased the depth of my appreciation for what my older brother Israel has suffered to lived through and learn and also for the example his life has given me- because our God is not changed. By the example of Israel's past life, I can begin to realize what suffering and punishment I escape only by the blood of Christ and by Israel's experience. But inescapably noteworthy also is the reminder that our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. In this case you could truthfully say that what angered Him then, still angers Him today and what pleased Him then still pleases Him today. The only difference in our case is that if our lives are covered by Christ's sacrifice, our sins are hidden from His anger. But none the less, if we are truly our Fathers loving children, then we will note His likes and dislikes and live to please Him regardless ...