Thursday, October 23, 2008

Words of Encouragement

This image was from the post in the Amway Hotel.  As I looked at it, I thought about how we allow unnatural things to lead us astray.  This image was attached to what looked like a box or carriage.  Do we get carried away with unsual things?  Do unusual things catch our attention and then we find ourselves latched on and unable to get away?  That is what happens when we do not keep our focus on God.
                                                                                                                          

Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent [a] and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD's assembly?"
- Numbers 16:1-3

Who is Leading? Rebellious Leaders. There were those that were angry at Moses and wanted to remove his leadership from over the people of Israel.  If you notice, it normally only takes one person to stir up a bunch of stuff.  So with this rise up there were 250 men that were leaders of the community that were talking against Moses and Aaron.  They wanted to know why should they follow them when everyone is holy so they should not be set up above them.

Let us really look at the message in this scripture.  The ones that were in a position to lead, did not want to follow.  If you cannot follow how can you be a good leader?  The leaders did not think it fair that someone else should be above them.  It wasn't so much Moses and Aaron, it was God they were really angry with.  See it was not Moses or Aaron that appointed themselves, it was God.  They were angry with the way God wanted to lead. 

When God has called us to be submissive and learn how to lead, but we refuse to humble ourselves because we seek to be holy in ourselves and by ourselves, then we make a mess of things. 

Lord, help us to humble ourselves under your leadership so that we can learn to become what you have called us to be.  We do not want to be rebellious under your leadership and then lead others astray.  We do not want the blood of others on our hands because we have lead them away from your way and your will.