When We Don't Get What We Want the Way We Want It

Scripture: Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” John 10:32-33

Observation: The Jews could not argue with Jesus’ miracles. The proof was in the pudding. The lame could walk, the blind could see. Things were happening, and yet they were not happening the way some people wanted them. The Messiah did not look, act, or speak like they wanted. Worse, this man who was clearly not the man they wanted, claimed to be God. They rejected the one sent from God because he did not come in the right package.
When God shows up in a different package, we can get angry. Why? We want what we want the way we want it. Now, we can dress that up in a whole lot of spiritual language, but at the end of the day, it is more about us getting God the way we want him, rather than accepting that he might want to come in a different and new way.

Application: This week, a person came up to one of our pastors asking about our Christmas Eve services. They were disappointed in last year’s service, as we did not do something they wanted us to do. As I reviewed last year’s services, I saw that we celebrated the birth of a God who came to be with us. We did welcome the arrival of Christ. And yet, because we did not welcome Christ in the way this person wanted, they felt like he had not come at all.
My downfall as a pastor is that I often let the gripes of a few outweigh God’s voice in my life. I believe the lies of the enemy speaks through a few. I need to remember that sometimes, when it comes to the things of God, we want what we want the way we want it.
This person’s problem was not with me. It was with God. God chose to reveal himself in a different way. With God, who does not always give us what we want the way we want it, but instead gives us what we need in ways we may not want.

Prayer: God, I have been allowing Satan to speak to me through the griping and gritching of a few people. While it is crucial for me to listen and learn, sometimes, these complainers are really angry with You, and the new ways You have chosen to reveal yourself. I need to step out of the line of fire and let them fire at you. I am a convenient target, but really, their beef is with you. Please help me listen to the truth of your word, and the good works you are doing in my life and the life of our church.

A Knight's Code

Scripture: Respect everyone. Love the brotherhood of believers. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17

Observation: Peter is stressing that the way we treat others in life reveals our true freedom, and silences our critics. If we claim Christ, then the way we relate to authorities and others in our lives ought to reflect that. If we have truly been set free, we will show it by submission.

Application: These words stick out to me as a code of conduct, a creed. Something that would be emblazoned on the shield of a knight. They are brief and yet cover so much about our relationships in life. My boys and I have a code of conduct for men in our house, our knight’s code. But I like this as well. These are 4 truths I need to teach my kids. Respect everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor authorities in your life. I think this might be our next family time devotional.

Prayer: God, help me model these attitudes towards these 4 groups in my life. Please instill these in my kids. Help me lead them towards true freedom through submission.

Hold Fast. This is good. God is in this.

Scripture: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

Observation: James tells us we each have a decision to make when we encounter challenges in life. We can choose to grumble or we can chose to believe, “This is good. God is in this.” This choice is ours and ours alone. No one can make it for us. No well-meaning friend can use these words on us. We have to choose that this is good and God is in this. And the reason it is good and God is in this is because God is using this trial and my response to it to build in me steadfastness. He is completing me by teaching me how to hold fast in this world.

Application: I was thinking this morning about how I have a lot on my plate at this time of year. I can get stressed out by a number of things. And unfortunately, I don’t always choose joy. I choose outlets like negativity, discouragement. I turn to food for escape. These are all alternatives to choosing to believe, “This is good. God is in this.” I think God is reminding me today that the choice is mine, and for me to choose joy.

Prayer: This is good, God. You are in this. You are forging in me the ability to hold fast. Help me choose to believe. Help me choose joy. Steer me from easy, yet unsatisfying responses to my trials. I choose today to hold fast to you and your plan for my life.