Why Testing Brings Complaining

 

Why Testing Brings Complaining.

 

I got to thinking about freedom and how, when we live in freedom, it can bring many choices and opportunities to its people. In the story I read, it made me think that not only does freedom allow us to make choices, but it also makes us feel tested when given such freedom.

Do you like to be tested? I know there was a time in my life I hated tests. In school, we are tested to see what knowledge we have gained or, in many cases, to see where we lack.

Back in my day, we took tests with pencil and paper, not on a computer. Usually, the tests were multiple choice. Occasionally, there would be an essay question. We didn’t have verbal tests, but there are tests where, to show competency, you may have to be observed completing a skill to show you will be safe to yourself and to others.

An example would be that, to get your driver's license, you would take a written test (or one on a computer) and then take a driving test to show you know the rules of the road and are safe to yourself and others.

There are occupations where you must observe someone for a specific number of hours in that occupation and be trained in it before being given a test. In other words, gaining experience and having a leader or mentor show you what it is truly like to be in the field you may be interested in.

A test is coming. As you go through life, be assured tests are coming your way. They may not be the kind with a pen and pencil or to obtain a degree or certificate, but be assured someone or something will “test” you.

Is testing a bad thing? I used to hate being tested. I was a horrible test taker in school. Things would get so jumbled in my head, I would start sweating, and my scores very seldom would reflect what I really knew.

In the College of Pharmacy, we would be graded on 4 or 5 tests throughout the class, so no outside assignments or extra credit. I would study with people, and after the test, they would ask how I did. I did not do well many times, scoring below 70%. My classmates couldn’t believe it. They would say, “But you knew the material; you got all the right answers when we would study.” After several times of this happening, they felt so bad for me that they said I should go and ask for a verbal test.

Another option they suggested was that I go on a beta blocker to help me relax. This would require a doctor's prescription, and I just was not willing to do that. No one ever suggested what today many college students are on, with or without a prescription, Adderall.

Students would ask if it bothered me, how bad I did. Of course it did, but I would hold my head up and say Of course, but I was always hopeful I would do better on the next test.

I would go back to the apartment and cry and pray. I would ask God if being a pharmacist is really what I should do. I knew it was, and I knew only by God’s grace did I get accepted into the College of Pharmacy.

Now that’s a statement for all of us! Only by God’s grace are we accepted! Now I’ll explain why I titled this “Why We Fear Freedom More than Control.”

I know God tests His people because His Word says He does. In Exodus chapters 15-16, I read the words, “He tested them.” I hope you read those chapters.

God’s people were given freedom under Pharaoh's control. Reminds me of some adult children. I will be doing the JesusRx Prescription for Children podcasts soon, and I was thinking about what a good example children are when given freedom. (https://jesusrxprescriptionforlifeshow.podbean.com/)

Some young adults don’t want to be under the control of their parents, so they leave the situation and are now free to live however they want. They can choose to serve the Lord God or not. They can choose many things to do with their time. They can travel, go to as many parties as they desire, take of whatever food and drink makes them happy. Hang out with friends all day.

They can also choose where to work and how to earn money to pay bills they never had to think about paying. They now see how important their choices are and the consequences of those choices, whether good or bad.

Under Pharaoh’s control, the Israelites were given work. The work Pharaoh demanded. They were fed. They lived a life without freedom. Pharaoh was not for them. He was for himself.

Godly parents are not for themselves. They raise children to know the love of God and why His ways are for them. Godly parents want their children to live in the Freedom God has given them and the dreams God has instilled in them. Things go haywire when people start living for selfish desires and ambitions that leave anything about God out.

The Israelites couldn’t handle the freedom they were given. Let’s see why I think this.

They were set out into the wilderness, led by God’s servants Moses and Aaron. They had no water. We can’t live without water.

They complained.

Wouldn’t we complain to our city employees if we didn’t have water or if our water became contaminated? If we have a well we may call someone to refract it, going deeper to get us water.

We may then complain about the cost.

Next, they had no food, so they complained. They were mad at the leaders. Like adult children, they get mad at the parents for leading them to freedom in Christ, and they complain when they don’t have what is needed to live.

God said He tested them. God allowed His glory to appear to them.

Even in their complaining, it didn’t change who God is or His glory.

Just like Moses and Aaron said to the children of Israel, “Come near before the Lord, for He has heard your complaints.”

We can lead our children back to the Lord, His provision, freedom, and love.

In chapter 15, the Israelites are singing and dancing because they are free, and then they complain about it.

I find it interesting that it says Israel came to the “Wilderness of Sin.” Are we not in the wilderness of sin?

This world is full of so many things that could bring me down. I never want to complain about the freedom I have to make choices in this world.

I never want to complain that I was better off without Christ in my life and the bondage of fear, shame, and guilt I was under. That was removed when I accepted the freedom offered on the cross and through the shed blood of Jesus.

I would have never recognized it if I believed the lies from this world and the enemy of my soul.  

I’m reminded of these words:

 Isaiah 5:20 - Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; discernment is crucial.

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

What I do know from reading the passage is that God heard their complaints and provided their daily needs. He wanted them to know He was the Lord their God.

God provided food to be gathered daily for what was needed for that day. No more and no less. If they gathered more, which some did, it bred worms and stank. The exception was on the day before the Sabbath; they were to gather more, as the Sabbath was a day to rest.

Once again, you had people who would not listen and go out and try to gather on the Sabbath, but there was nothing to gather that day.

As a child of God, I can thank Him for bringing me to freedom. I can thank Him for His provision, and I can even complain to Him about anything.

If you are a parent who loves and wants only what’s best for your child, how do you feel when they complain? Nothing is ever good enough. They may complain they don’t get the clothes they want, the electronics, the trips, the freedom to stay out all night, the freedom to sleep until noon. In other words, you don’t know how to take care of them properly.

In all honesty, I didn’t know. I went to a church in hopes I could get some backup from the Lord. Be assured He loves your children even more than you do.

A huge mistake I made was being legalistic and trying to set Godly rules when the Holy Spirit wasn’t guiding me.

I realize, as I am in a study now called the Gospel-Centered Life by Robert H. Thune and Will Walker, how it is impossible to do what is right on my own. I realize how the Spirit will overcome the flesh if I rest in what Jesus has done for me and never forget it.

I watch my almost 3-year-old grandson not do what he is asked to do, and I reflected on how no one taught him to disobey. No one taught him to hit his brother. No one taught him to throw a fit. I was reminded it is in us. The very reason we need a savior.

I have freedom from all the do’s and don’ts when I live a life guided by the Holy Spirit. How do I know if I am living that way?

Good question. When tests arise in my life, I will know. I will know because I won’t complain, but rather reflect on my freedom to make choices.

I will know because peace will abound, and the fruit of the Spirit will be evident.

"The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6 

 

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..." Galatians 5:22-23

 

If you find yourself complaining when testing comes, know you can go to God with your complaint. He will listen and provide as He sees fit. He can do that. He’s God.

 

If you are like Pharaoh and only come to God when things are bad, and you want relief, well, you see where that got Pharaoh and those he led. (Just read Exodus 14 if you don’t know where his hard heart led him)

 

I have no idea where you are today. I hope you are walking in the freedom God provides while we are, like the Israelites, walking in the wilderness of Sin and allowing Him to lead you into the promised land with Him. Let Him destroy your enemies and be guided by the Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Do Plagues Affect You?

 

How Do Plagues Affect You?

 

I was reading about the plagues that occurred in Egypt. I was trying to think which one would be the worst. At first, I thought it would be the frogs, until I got to the part where the firstborn would be killed.

In every plague, some people were not even affected. It got me thinking about why these things happened. We know there is a purpose to everything. The purpose isn’t evident at the time, or may never be revealed to us. Faith. What is faith, and who we have faith in, really all about?

After reading Exodus chapters 5-15, so many things were swirling in my head. Honestly, I love when that happens. It actually makes me slow down and dig deeper than if I were reading for a “good story”.

I like learning and growing, and this allows me to do that. Many times, it allows me to come face to face with my weaknesses and look to God for the strength I need to accomplish what He has called me to do. I hope you know that He will also provide you with the strength to do what He asks of you.

Life isn’t easy. We are bombarded with so many things every day. Go ahead and write out or think about what you are currently being plagued by.

In this story, you won’t miss that it says God hardened Pharaoh's heart or that he was stubborn. It is mentioned at least 13 times.

In at least seven places it says God asked Pharaoh to “let my people go so they can worship me. At one point, God goes so far as to ask the question, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go so they may serve me.”

This is where I have to come to terms with myself and my heart. There have been times when I have not humbled myself before God. Without being humble, I can’t serve God freely. Pride- I’ll call it its name- Pharaoh is keeping me captive. Pharaoh stated he didn’t know God. What is my excuse? I know Him because I know His Son Jesus Christ. Pharaoh knew many other gods. I know the existence of many other gods as well, and I’ve learned no one has the power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He gave us the way to Him through Jesus. He does what He says He will do.

A huge question is, why, God, did you harden Pharaoh's heart? I did find answers. Before I answer that, I want to point out you may be dealing with someone with a hardened heart towards God, or your heart may be hardened towards God because of a certain situation.

Throughout the plagues, I noticed God’s people were protected. The frogs, the lice, the hail, and such did not occupy the place where God’s people were. I hope you read the passage.

How heartless Pharaoh was about the people not having access to clean water. Essentially, without water, people die. Maybe he had good water in his castle? The people began digging to reach a clean water source.

God gave a warning about the hail, and those who “feared the Word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and livestock flee to safety.”

We are warned as well. Children of God and those who don’t know Him all get a warning. He wants to keep us safe from the enemy. God wants His people to be able to speak of His wonderful mercies. Some hearts are so hardened they don’t believe the warnings, and some are so prideful they think they are above God. Essentially, when we don’t turn to God, we are saying we don’t need Him.

Pharaoh did ask Moses and Aaron to intercede for him and go to God to stop the plagues. Each time Pharaoh said if they stopped, he would let the people go. At one point, he said, “I’ve sinned against the Lord your God and against you; please forgive my sin only this once and entreat the Lord your God.”

There was a pattern here. God, give me relief. This explains why people may ask you and God for forgiveness and continue in their hard-hearted ways after the relief comes. Again if I look within and ask myself do I really want God’s forgiveness? Of course I do. But to go right back living above the need for God should show me my heart. I want my heart to be tender towards God and His ways and towards His people.

You may have Pharaohs in your life. They come to you in hard times, always asking you to pray for them, but go right back to the lifestyle that got them into the problem in the first place. They don’t truly know God or care to live a life that pleases the Spirit, but instead continue in the flesh. They can see miracle after miracle in others' lives (yes, God still does miracles today), but it won’t matter. Remember there are several reasons why Pharaoh was so hard-hearted, and here are some of them:

1.      To know there is no one like the Lord our God. There is none like God in ALL the earth.

2.      To know the earth is the Lords

3.      To show God’s power in the people He calls

4.      That God’s name is to be declared in ALL the earth

5.      To show the Lord IS IN the midst of the land

6.      He shows there is a difference in the people belonging to Him, and sets them apart.

7.      To know God is to be honored above any person, place, or thing

8.      The Lord fights for His people

9.      God’s wonders are multiplied in the land 

10.  To testify to all generations of God’s goodness to His people 

I know people who do ask God to please soften the hearts of their loved ones and friends. We don’t know what it will take. We must leave them in the hand of God.

It was interesting how the magicians were able to do some things, but when they couldn’t, they acknowledged it was the finger of God that removed a plague. Not even the hand, just God’s finger touching something made things stop.

Finally, after the last plague, the death of the firstborn, Pharaoh let the people go. But did he really? This is unreal to me what happened after God’s people were in the wilderness.

Pharaoh said they were bewildered in the wilderness, in other words, lost. He didn’t think they were very smart, and he had no idea how much God would do for them. He was wrong.

People may be wrong about you as you walk with God. They may say things because they lack an understanding of God's love for His people. They have hard hearts, and you have God’s covering, and your heart of stone has been changed. Continue to pray and be the example to those around you who are hard-hearted.

God's people went out in boldness. Seeing how they were protected from the plagues must have helped them know God was with them and in control. Those who applied the blood of the lamb to their doorposts enabled their firstborn to be saved from the judgment brought upon those led by a hard-hearted leader. They had much to rejoice about as they were about to be released from the bondage they had lived in.

They were given supplies and gold as they obeyed God when He told them to ask for those things. The Israelites found favor with the Egyptians that were willing to give them these things. I think of Proverbs 16:7 that says when a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies be at peace with him. God allowed the Egyptians to feel peaceful around the Israelites, so they gave them what they asked for. God set His people up with provisions for the journey.

Like the Israelites, we too start with boldness, go where God leads us, and then something happens. Let's see what happened to the Israelites. God knew what Pharaoh, in his still-hard heart, was doing, and God set it up so that He would gain honor over Pharaoh and his whole army, and the Egyptians would know that He is the Lord.  

Be assured, as you start the journey with God by receiving His Son, Jesus Christ, which enables you to go to Him boldly, the enemy will hunt you down. It happens in very subtle ways. When the people saw Pharaoh's army come after them, they got fearful; we are told, very afraid, and they cried out to the Lord. They cried out to the Lord and then complained. They complained to Moses and actually wanted to go back to serve the Egyptians.

They wanted to go back to what they knew, what they thought was going to keep them alive. Yes, they would be alive but not truly living. They would be living to fulfill someone else's dream and accomplishments. They weren’t free to fulfill God’s purpose for them.

Living for the purpose of God, our creator, is a divine, joyful, exciting life. To trust God to lead us as we are chased by others, our own emotions, and the world's ever-changing technology is exciting.

So as you step out into the wilderness and into the life-giving water, know God has a history of parting the waters for His people.

Remember these words:

So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. They then complained to Moses. Moses said, “Do not be afraid, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.

The Lord WILL fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

 

Based on Exodus Chapters 5-15. Hope you read it!!