Seek God Himself Before the Miracle
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 12:32 -13:5 (NASB)
32 “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.
1 If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. 5 But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the Lord your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, to seduce you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from among you.
SUMMARY
Moses warns the Israelites of the temptation that might arise from the Canaanites. That in the land of Canaan, prophets and dreamers would perform signs or wonders that may entice the Israelites into worshipping false gods. Moses tells his people not to listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord is testing them to find out whether they love Him with all their heart and soul. It is the Lord our God they must follow and revere. He emphasizes that they must keep His commands and obey Him, serve Him and hold fast to Him. That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for trying to turn His people away from the way of the Lord.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
It is so important for us to read, meditate and be filled with the truths of the Bible. Otherwise, we may be tempted by evil under the appearance of good, turning us away from God. Sometimes we get so desperate to see miraculous signs and wonders to get answers that we fall into temptations. In Proverbs 27:7, it says “One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.” This is why it is so important for us to meditate on His word day and night and pray. When we are filled with His Spirit, we will be so full, we will loathe honey from the comb. However, when we’re hungry, we will see these false teachings as something from God.
APPLICATION
I realize in my own life, in desperate times, I need something more than the “ordinary”. Something that makes it all seem more real, more meaningful, more tangible, more certain. Give me a sign, God!!!!
As many of you know, my friend C, was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer in April of this year. I found myself feeling helpless yet desperate to intercede in prayer, and asking all of you to pray for her. I must admit, I asked God for wondrous signs and miracles to be performed because in Matthew 19:26, “With God, all things are possible.” However, instead of seeing miracles, yesterday her bone scan showed cancer in her pelvic bone which meant she’s now at stage 4. I felt so discouraged and defeated because of all those prayers lifted day and night for months with tears. Didn’t that mean anything? Then I realized I just fell into temptation.
I dismissed His grace being at work. Without me even realizing, I put so much value in the works (praying day and night), meanwhile forgetting Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No matter how often I read the Word and pray, I am still a sinner and will always fall short of the glory of God.
After that realization, I was gently rebuked by God for putting my works before His grace. No matter how hard I try, while on earth, I will always fall short from His glory. The only way is through Jesus Christ. When God sees me through the lens of Jesus Christ, I will be pleasing to His eyes.
So instead of trying so hard to get answers, I started wondering what if the answer we’ve been looking for is to show us His nearness in our problem? What if God wants to give us something even better than an answer or a direction? What if God wants to give us Himself? That led me to repent and pray.
PRAYER
Lord, Heavenly Father, I ask you for forgiveness for putting works before your grace. Lord, you are in Deuteronomy 10:14, “God of heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.” You are sovereign, and you are good. Lord, you loved us so much that you sent your One and Only Son to die on the cross, raising Him from death to save us. What an amazing love!!!
Lord, let me see your love each and every day in mundane things of life. Help me to be confident knowing that your love, your perfect love, will always carry me through this life and to the next. Let me not seek for signs and wonders but to seek your face in everyday living. Thank you Lord for being my God and my savior. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.
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