When I read about the Israelites creating a golden calf and worshiping it in Exodus 32, it is easy to say, "What were they thinking? God had just freed them in a mighty way, defeated their enemy, and demonstrated His power?"
But how often do I behave the same way?
When I don't feel God's presence, I'm tempted to behave as if I never did. When His answer to prayer is "wait," I'm tempted to step in and try to make something happen, to build for myself a golden calf, instead of trusting that His timing is perfect.
Although the skills and talents God gives are for the purpose of His glory, it's tempting to use them for my own purposes.
Even when God provides for all my needs, I can be tempted to complain about what I don't have instead of being thankful for what I do.
One of our pastors, Raudel Hernandez, put it so well yesterday, "We say that we've fallen into temptation, as if we are the victim and it caught us unaware. But we don't fall into temptation, we walk right in with our eyes open wide."
We walk in when we turn the TV channel to shows that feed unhealthy interests. We walk in when we surf the internet on dangerous shores. We walk in when we pursue relationships that we know aren't honoring to God because instead of strengthening our relationship with Him, they are drawing us further from Him.
When we read about the Israelites, instead of wondering how they could be so foolish, let's praise God for being so patient with us.
What circumstances have tempted you to take matters in your own hands instead of waiting on God's timing? Surely I'm not the only one!
But how often do I behave the same way?
When I don't feel God's presence, I'm tempted to behave as if I never did. When His answer to prayer is "wait," I'm tempted to step in and try to make something happen, to build for myself a golden calf, instead of trusting that His timing is perfect.
Although the skills and talents God gives are for the purpose of His glory, it's tempting to use them for my own purposes.
Even when God provides for all my needs, I can be tempted to complain about what I don't have instead of being thankful for what I do.
One of our pastors, Raudel Hernandez, put it so well yesterday, "We say that we've fallen into temptation, as if we are the victim and it caught us unaware. But we don't fall into temptation, we walk right in with our eyes open wide."
We walk in when we turn the TV channel to shows that feed unhealthy interests. We walk in when we surf the internet on dangerous shores. We walk in when we pursue relationships that we know aren't honoring to God because instead of strengthening our relationship with Him, they are drawing us further from Him.
When we read about the Israelites, instead of wondering how they could be so foolish, let's praise God for being so patient with us.
What circumstances have tempted you to take matters in your own hands instead of waiting on God's timing? Surely I'm not the only one!
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