WTFMT 68 (FROM HGM ON 10 SEP 19)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-68
TEXT: "But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:" (Ezra 3:12)

I. FIRST THINGS FIRST

A. Prevent failure by a rededication by a reconsecration, again and again, as often as is necessary. We must always have a solid foundation of continual rededication and reconsecration build on Christ Jesus. If we do not have a proper foundation, return to the basics. Otherwise we will always be in trouble.
B. If we continue to build and build on a faulty foundation we will lose a great deal. There is no short cuts in this. Certain issues and testings cannot be avoided if there is to be spiritual gain and health. We cannot leave out one fourth of our foundation and expect spiritual prosperity.
C. Not to many Christians seem to be interested in the ABC's. More seem to be interested in the XYX's. But God wants us to fulfill the ABC's. Many times when someone is initiated into the Kingdom of God, they are told that they need to be operating in the PQR's. That is why there are so many problems in the Church today. There is a lack of proper foundation.
D. Let us fulfill the basics before waiting to go on to something greater in the Lord. Even if God has called us or is leading us into greater things, let us make sure of our foundation before we go on into them. Remember that there are basic obligations you have under God which hold priority to other obligations, even those which God is laying on you.
E. This was necessary in the life of Moses. Even the will and leading of God has to be delayed in his case until the foundational work was completed. At age 40 Moses knew of his calling. But the foundational work was not completed until he was 80.
F. When answering God's called, especially in ministry, we must be built on a solid foundation and be sure we are obeying Him in proper order.
G. I know many woman who insist upon moving in the leading of the Spirit in spiritual ministry when it disrupts and worsens their relationship with their husband. The universal defense which covers it all is "we must obey God rather than man." Then do it. Obey God. But do not obey God in the matters you like and allow the other areas to rest in disobedience.
H. In obeying God, be sure of the order. Obedience to the basics must take precedence over obedience to the other types of God's leading. The basics are found in the Bible. I cannot understand how some can fulfill spiritual ministries while their households are in great need due to lack of attention. I do not know how one can ship the ABC's and move up to the PQR's without creating plenty of serious personal problems. They cannot.
I. If this is your case, you will have to back down to the ABC if you expect to solve your personal problems. Always return to the basics if they yet need fulfillment. Pride and presumption will prevent us from returning and fulfilling the basics.
J. "When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee." (John 4:1-3) Jesus comes from His Father and to do His will (John 10:32; 12:50) Thus in making disciples and baptizing, Jesus was doing the will of His Father. But another principle enters the picture, and it takes precedence over the present leading of God in the life of Jesus. The ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus were to be in a certain arrangement, according to prophecy. Thus Jesus had to back down from making disciples in order to fulfill something more basic. Not until Jesus was off the scene did Jesus come preaching. "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God," (Mark 1:14)
K. At age 12 Jesus said, "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:49) But what He knew to be His "Father's business" had to be laid aside for 18 years while the basics were being fulfilled.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

A. "And when thou [Moses] hast seen it,[the Promised land] thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered." (Numbers 27:13) Moses could only see, not enter, the Promised Land because 38 years ago he failed the basic matter of consecration at Kadesh. Moses died and buried my God without victory and conquest of the land. "For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin." (Numbers 27:14)
B. Do not fail at your Kadesh, that is in this matter of personal consecration. Failure in the ABC's means failure in the XYZ's. Do not avoid a "foundation" walk with God; it must be a constant factor in your Christian life.