Nothing New Under the Sun

As I was reading the Book of Nehemiah and re-learning all that had occured in his time. A thought came to me. Throughout the Old Testament we see the Jews asking for help and once receiving that help from God, sometimes being angry with God, and eventually turning back to their own ways. So I am going to take a look at that today, as something to think about.

1. Asking for help. While in quagmire that we often call life there are times when we realize that there is nothing that WE alone can do. We call on God. We cry, we mope, we pray and maybe we even ask others to pray for our circumstances. Perhaps, we go to church for an EXTRA prayer, or maybe we go to that family member who is known to get prayers through. Yet, and still sometimes its just us, in all of emptiness that once we have taken all that we can we simply call on the name of Jesus. We are so drained. We humbly pray. We hope that God will see our circumstances and move SWIFTLY! And then it comes...

2. The frustration or anger. Perhaps, you are praying to make ends meet and it doesn't seem like God heard a word you said. The pockets still low. Bills due and you don't see any way of escape. Sound familiar? God not answering your prayer on YOUR time is nothing new. Know that he is working it out in spite of what it appears. But it doesn't matter, you don't see it. He must not love you. His word must not be true. I cried, I prayed...what else can I do?

3. Deliverance. How sweet it is for you to be in God's good graces. You smile, you have a new skip in your step, you sing, you may have a new dance! God heard your cry and blessed you in the midst of your troubles. You had to testify! Share it with the world! They need to know your story. To him, all praises are due. Thank you Jesus you shout from the highest moutain top. Amen, and amen. You will tithe better, be a better Christian, join a ministry because he deserves all the praise... and eventually...

4. You return to your OLD ways. I mean, God knows my heart, if I smoke this or begin relations with this person he will see me through. I mean, my money is funny I can't write those big checks every Sunday. He knows my heart. I don't feel like going to Usher Board meetings, Sunday School teacher meeting, Choir rehearsal... I need a life. I am tired! Hitting the club, having a few Zombies won't hurt. I mean they drank wine all the time in the Bible, even the priests...

Do you see the parrallels? I used to wonder to myself, how is it that the Jews got into all the problems that plagued them? They are God's chosen people. Undoubtedly, they would be in situation, God would bring them out, they would praise him for awhile. Awhile, may have been hours, days, and even generations. No doubt, they would eventually mess it up!

I used to think if God had been there to walk with me I know I would be alright. He comes talking to me in a fiery bush? Allows me to see the back of him as he walks by? Wrestles with me next to a river? Brings me out of captivity? Does not allow famine to destroy me? Ha, I would be a super saint. But then reality sets in. God has walked with me, and I HAVE stumbled. He has shown me my errors and I have corrected them, but sometimes it was only temporary. I have found myself bargaining with God... if YOU do this... I will do THAT. I am no different than those Jews in the Old Testament... and like them God has given me another chance.