Psalm 55
Numbers 21:4-5 – And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
As the children of Israel journeyed, they became discouraged. Then the people spoke against God and Moses concerning their journey out of Egypt and their lack of bread and water. They said they loathed the light bread (manna) being given unto to them. From there, the Lord sent fiery snakes among the people and many of them died. In His mercy after Moses’ intercession, the Lord instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent on a pole so that those that were bit could look at it and live (Numbers 21:7-9).
In viewing their circumstances, here are six things we can learn:
Sometimes we need a reset. We’re tired, frustrated, and angry. Nothing is seems to be going right. Discouragement sets in and we get in a cycle of dispair, worry, and drowning sadness.
1. Stop what you are doing. When we’re going through difficult situations, one of the things we don’t do is stop. We continue along the same path until something negative happens to us. We need to stop making bad decisions, stop working, and stop thinking. We need to take time to quiet our minds, hearts, and lives to hear the Lord clearly. Maybe we need to go on long walk or drive, sit quietly, or take a longer lunch break. Maybe we just need to be alone.
Why do I always have to go through trials and temptation? I don’t want to continue facing the same things over and over and over AND OVER again! I just want to be free.
Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever felt like the Apostle Paul when he said that when he wants to do right, sin is right there (Romans 7:21)? OR the things you want to do you don’t do, but the things you don’t want to do, THAT you find yourself doing (Romans 7:15)? Many of us can relate to Paul’s statements of temptation and sin, but we often stop there without going any further. We continue to live in a cycle that goes from temptation-sin-repentance-temptation-sin-repentance and it never seems to stop. We want to get off the merry-go-round, but it doesn’t seem like we ever can. Why do I have to go through this? Why can’t God just take it away because He knows I want to serve Him. If I didn’t have this ‘sin’ issue, I could just run for Him.
Matthew 5:39-48 – Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
In the world’s estimation, this would seem foolish to allow anyone run over you, but the wisdom of God will never be understood by the world (1 Corinthians 3:18-20). Although we may be treated wrong, we must persevere as the Lord directs.
We can cast our cares and burdens unto the Lord (Psalm 55:22; Matthew 11: 28-30; 1 Peter 5:6-7). If left alone, these cares and burdens can disrupt our minds, physical health, and family life. They do nothing but keep us bitter, angry, and distracted from the things which matter most – glorifying our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).
Situations like those given in Matthew 5:39-48 are our opportunities to grow and glorify the Lord. Through our patience and trust in the Lord (James 1:1-4), we are identified as perfect children of God.
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/_TekToNik
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