October 7, 2008
The
Current
Two
years ago today I was in the Philippines helping to recover from a devastating
typhoon that hit the island. The water flowed washing
everything out of its’ way moving whole trees, washing out roads, breaking
telephone poles and flooding houses including ours.
I
noticed a dead tree, stuck in one place for a while the water flowing around it.
It must have washed down with the runoff. It stood there defiant against the
current, not moving and forcing the flood to go around it.
The
water hit the tree trunk and quite naturally flowed around it. The tree didn't
stay defiant against the current for long. I saw the same place later and the
tree was gone, washed downstream somewhere.
When
we stand up against the purpose of God, we can be as defiant as we like. God's
purpose isn't thwarted. He just flows around us or washes us out of the way.
The
rabbi Gamaliel recognized this truth when the Sanhedrin was attempting to deal
with the Apostles.
But
a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the
people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a
little while. Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully
what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to
be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his
followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the
Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt.
He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the
present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their
purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you
will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting
against God."
Acts 5:4-39 NIV
Gamaliel
wasn't a Christian, he was a devoted and respected Pharisee. He understood the
futility of fighting against an all powerful God.
In
what area(s) of life are you fighting God?
You
can stand firm for a season perhaps, but God's will is going to be one despite
your best (worst?) efforts to the contrary.
It's
far better to invest your energies in following the will of God than fighting
against Him. He will only allow us to block His purpose for a time and then we
will either be destroyed or removed.
Until
next time, may you strive to have your will be His will.
Be
blessed
Darrel
Mason