WTFMT 70 (TAKEN FROM HGM ON 19 NOV 19)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-70

TEXT: "And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab." (Deuteronomy 2:8)

 

I. AVOID IT

 

   A. The only reference to the Wilderness of Moab as such is Deuteronomy 2:8. This is one of two wildernesses which should be not be part of the Christian's life. However, at times if does touch the Christian's experience.       B. When the word "moab" first occurs in the Bible it is in an incestuous situation. "Ab" is the word for "father" and "mo" is the preposition meaning "from" and attached to "ab." Thus the translation of "moab" is "from father." When the elder daughter of Lot gave birth to her child which she had conceived by her own father she named him, Moab. (Genesis 19:36-37)

  C. No part of Moab, wilderness or whatever, was to be part of Israel's possession. "And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession." (Deuteronomy 2:9) As the children of Israel were to have nothing to do with this territory so is the Christian to avoid it in its spiritual sense which in its first setting is incest.

   D. The second reference in which "Moab" occurs is, "And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith." (Genesis 36:35)

   E. This is a setting of defeat. Midian is smitten in the field of Moab. Defeat is not to become a possession of the believer victory is, but so many believers seem to be living in defeat in the field of Moab. They live in the world's field or the field of personal circumstances. They do not live in God. If your life is hid with Christ in God you will discover that there is no defeat in God.

  F. Fear and distress causes defeat in Moab. "And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel." (Numbers 22:3) This is more than suggestions it presents a type of fear and dread which should not be part of the Christian's life, this is not the believer's possession. King David pens, "I will fear no evil."

  G. A believer's life in God should reflect his faith in God's power and care. Some believers live a fearful life. This is unbelief. Furthermore, there is no vision in the soul. God's loving care cannot be seen; instead, enemies and adverse situations are seen. They are the focal point of some Christians. Come out of Moab and be healed! Come out of Moab for your peace and strength! The aspects if Moab should not be found in a believer's life.

 

II.  PARTING THOUGHTS

 

     A. How can one come out of Moab? The very fact a Christian is in Moab indicates a lack of complete and unconditional surrender to God. One's own will and desires are followed and catered to. Thus, to come out of Moab requires a reversal of these detrimental trends.

   B. How does one suddenly reverse patterns following for years? He doesn't. The solution is to continually and habitually bring oneself in helplessness and dependency before God. The solution is to continually and habitually read the Bible with a desire to be conformed to it.

WTFMT 69 (FROM HGM ON 8 OCT 19)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-69

TEXT: "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)

 

I. MAKE A CHANGE

 

A. We are brought to the same situations, as the children of Israel, for the same tests over and over again. In this way, we have ample opportunities to correct our errors, then change our attitudes. Take advantage of these testing. Charles Haun said, "Count your testing name them one by one and your will see what God has done." Repent, make your renewed dedication, and avoid permanent failure.

B. The Wilderness of Zin is the most critical and serious of all the wildernesses in the Bible. Rebellion persists right up to the last minute of opportunity; that's serious.

C. There was no submission to God in the situations and conditions in which persisted. The attitude of knowing more than God persisted. "And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?" (Numbers 20:4) Why? Why? Why? Moses, don't you know any better than that? Rebellion against spiritual authority, rebellion directed toward each other, rebellion at God. Thus they bring an indictment against God at Kadesh, the place for their renewed dedication.

D. Are we much smarter than these people? Have you ever heard or said words something like these? Why am I in this situation? Why am I without the blessing of God? What did I do wrong to be brought to such a desolate place? What's going to happen? I don't understand any of this. I'm going to fail here, I just know it. All indictments against God.

E. These statements and the like are a manifestation of a heart in disagreement with God's divine arrangement. At this point there is only one element into which this heart can enter, and that is failure. Prevailing impatience, murmuring, and rebellion mean failure. There can be no further progress in God until these matters are out of the way. "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (1 Peter 2:1-2)

F. To follow the correct course is not a matter which is so mystical, so high above us that we cannot come to it. It's a simple matter of obedience. It all boils down to a heart desiring to be submitted to God and all His appointed situations. It is not something which is so far above our understanding that it is difficult to comprehend and obtain.

G. It is not even doing that which God wants done. It is doing that we know God wants done. It is a matter of reading the Bible over and over to become familiar with God's priorities in relation to His will.

H. The problem with most intelligent people is that they always must stop to analyze everything. There is no matter they call allow to rest in simplicity. "Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 1:21) It is difficult for some to obey without analyzing. As a result, paralysis of analysis sets in. Instead of a simple obedience to the word, their feet are stuck in the analytical quagmire. I. They are attempting to understand, rather than obeying. We must first see what it is; we must tear it apart and examine it. Instead of moving on in obedience, they piddle around in some curious investigation. Thus a substitute for obedience and dedication stops them cold.

 

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

A. So when we come to our Wilderness of Zin, and we will time and time again, the very first thing we must do BEFORE we start looking around is to make sure our dedication is up to date. If need be, again come to our Father in complete surrender so that we can follow Him in obedience.

B. Doing so will assure our success in going up to possess that which He has set before us. He has set before us the great unknown. Do you have the courage and faith to move toward it? But look head to the right the Wilderness of Moab is waiting.

OUR FAITHFULLNESS

Faithfulness is a big big deal to the LORD. I wish many Christians (myself included at times) would have such a great concern as the LORD does knowing His eyes are ever on us and on our faithfulness to Him and our brothers and sisters. In the Psalms we read, “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful…” (Psalm 101:6) Ah yes we have grace now and we do not have to be creatures of our word. We can presume on our brothers and sisters good nature and forgiveness to say and do things we really do not mean. How many times have we said, "I will be over" or "I will do this or that" or "you can count on me" yet when these words were spoken there was no intention in us to make them true. My friend God is serious about our faithfulness to Him, our brothers, sisters, and others in this world. If we will not be faithful to God how can we be faithful to anybody else? Sadly we cannot, our words and actions only convict us of our wayward heart and our glib reaction to situations and circumstances we try to manipulate in our lives. We see this truth play out in the parable of the talents. Jesus shares this parable with us, "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 25:14-30) In the parable there are two types of servants. The one that pleased the LORD and received a reward. The other did not! I do not know about you my friend, but I want to be like the servant that pleased the LORD. Now regarding the servants that pleased the LORD one servant had five talents, the other two. Though the number of talents varied the reward they received was identical. To both the LORD said the same, “Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21) Rewards are not based on how much I have done, but rather in being faithful with that which I have been entrusted with. The LORD was displeased with the servant with one talent not because he only had one, but because he was not faithful in using wisely the one that he had been given. It does not matter if I have five talents, two, or one. What is important is that I am faithful with that which the LORD has entrusted to me in the place where I am. Again it is not about the number or the types of talents, but what we did with the talents. The word “faithful” is found at least eighty-two times in the Bible. The dictionary defines faithful as maintaining allegiance to someone, or to something, of being a constant, loyal, friend. Faithfulness also speaks of showing, or having a strong sense of responsibility, of being conscientious, reliable, and full of faith. Paul talking to the Church at Corinth (who were very unfaithful) in 1 Corinthians 4:2 said, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” The word “required” is a very strong word. To require means to demand as being necessary or crucial. Of a steward or servant, it is necessary, crucial, that he be found faithful. Well why is faithfulness so important to the LORD? Luke helps us here, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” (Luke 16:10) So if we are faithful in small things then God knows you will be faithful in big things. Did you know it is the small things God is concerned about in our lives? Oh we think God is concerned about the big things: how long we can speak in tongues, how much money we give, how hard we work at the church, etc., but the LORD is not looking at all of this, oh no, He is looking at our character and integrity. he is looking at how much we express the image of the Father in our daily living. We like to work for God, but remember it is not much done that counts, but how things were done. Did we do them in the right heart condition and for the right reasons and motives. My heart attitude is the key to my being faithful in whatever the LORD has called me to do. I am to do it out of a desire to please the LORD, and be found faithful in His sight. You know we all have different responsibilities. I may be called to cook or teach. Or I may be called to do construction work or work in an office. Perhaps I am a pastor or a missionary or maybe I have a ministry of helps. Did you know 90% of all ministries are helps? Not a lot of Christians want to help they seem to want to preach and teach. Well the last thing the LORD needs is another preacher or teacher, but now a servant God can use that. Again the reward is not for what I do. Rather it is for my faithfulness in doing what I do. What matters is that I am faithful in that which the LORD has entrusted me with. In my own life, at times I have held multiple positions all at the same time. Lately I am serving as a leader. In another, I am the song leader as woeful as that may sound. In another, I set up chairs and clean up with Karen. In each position I was just as happy because I understood the reward was not for what I was doing, but my faithfulness in whatever it was that I was doing, even if it meant just pushing a broom. Make no mistake my brother if you think you are too good (as I know many Christians today feel) to push a broom or set up chairs God cannot use you My contentment comes from a deep inner desire simply to please the LORD and be found faithful in His eyes. This simple understanding ever changes my life. My purpose (right or wrong big or small) is no longer what I am doing, but how I am doing it. My purpose is to please the LORD in whatever it is I am called to do. As the LORD continues to work in our lives through circumstances and responsibilities that He has allowed a working of the Holy Spirit is to continue in our lives, purifying our love for Him, increasing our desires to please Him. This love continues to grow, displacing all other desires. No matter the size of the work faithfulness is to be borne in our lives. I hear people at times say, if I could do this, or if I could do that, if I could be here, or go there, or have this, or have that, then I would be happy. That is not where true happiness lies. Happiness is in pleasing the LORD where He has called us and doing what He has called us to do. True happiness comes from that sense of being in right alignment with the LORD. True happiness comes simply from being faithful wherever, whatever. Our part is simply to be faithful. He will do the rest. Written by David Stahl