Thursday, November 8, 2007

Leave It Alone!

'UZZAH...STEADIED THE ARK...AND GOD STRUCK HIM DEAD.' II SAM. 6:6-7

When 'the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah...steadied the Ark,' his intention were good. He didn't want it to fall. But he overstepped his bounds and touched what belonged exclusively to God.
Sometimes your 'strength is to sit still' (Ps. 46:10) and take your hands off what you've entrusted to God's keeping. Even when your 'oxen stumble' and things don't go the way you think they should, God doesn't need your help.
He understnads the situation better than you ever could, and when the time is right He'll 'do wonders never before done' (Ex.34:10 niv.
Sure, it's frustrating to have something withing your grasp and not be able to reach it, especially when others who seem less deserving are enjoying what you so desperately want. But the Bible says: "Be patient...trust the Lord. Don't let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things" (Ps. 37:7 cev).
The Canaduan preacher A.B. Simpson said, 'Often there is nothing as godly as inactivity on our part, or nothing as harmful as restless working, for God has promised to work His sovereign will.'

Paul writes, 'Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient...and....prayerful' (Rom. 12:12 TLB).
Long-range purpose will stop you from becoming frustrated by short-term delays. That is why God said, 'He that believeth shall not make haste' (Isa. 28:16).
In Acts we read: 'Paul and his companions...[were] kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching...in...Asia' (Acts 16:6 niv).

Why?

Because:
(a) the timing wasn't right. Apollos had to go there first and lay the groundwork;
(b) God needed Paul and Barnabas elsewhere;
(c) He wanted them to be more seasoned before embarking on such a major mission.

So, leave that situation alone, in God's hand. He will do it His own way.
Hallelujah.