Inspirational

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Overcome evil with good

overcome evil with good*

Are you willing to leave with God the vindication of your love for Him and service to Him?

There are many fine moments in life when I remember my intercession for others, but it is hard to find any moment more appealing than when I stand silent before my enemy and let my vindication to God. I remember God said, “It is Mine to avenge; I will repay.” And Paul added, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” So instead of complaining or answering back, I will pray for those who are harsh to me. I will strive to overcome evil with good. What will you do?

Lord, please help me to overcome evil with good!

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Miriam’s and Aron’s Complaints

1aNumbers 12:1-16

Miriam’s and Aaron’s Complaints

Moses marrying  a  Cushite  woman was  not  the  real  reason  for  Miriam’s  complaint. Miriam was jealous of Moses’ position and authority. Miriam’s complaint against Moses had consequences.

Complaining results when we forget God’s promises.

The only thing to do with a complaint is to carry it to God in prayer. Miriam’s complaint was hurtful to Moses. He did not volunteer, lobby or campaign for the task. God appointed him to the task. Miriam and Aaron have rejected Moses’ authority and in the process, they rejected God’s authority.

Complaining results when we reject God’s authority.

Miriam and Aaron were saying they knew better than God. And what was Moses’ response? He did not respond. (Numbers 12:3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.))

Silence in the face of accusations is a genuine mark of greatness.

Silence in the face of accusations is a true mark of a true believer.

Moses did not need to defend himself. He was secure in who he was. God had appointed him to the task. How quick am I to defend myself when attacked? Am I as quick to defend God? Moses  was  always  quick  to  defend  God’s  honor  but  silent  when  he  himself  was accused. God defends Moses. God sends judgment on Miriam in the form of leprosy. The leprosy was a visual sign of sin. It is sin that makes a person spiritually unclean.

The two chapters in Numbers are as contemporary today as they were in Moses’ time. And we are still complaining. Complaining is Sin, Rebellion against God, Displeases God, Shows a lack of faith in God.

Lord, please help me to submit to Your authority and remember not to complain, but give thanks to You in everything.

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Are you surprised?

aAre you surprised and wounded when others complain or attack you?

My highest motives and best actions will not prevent envy or complaints. My conduct should be above reproach. I should not seek praise. I should take nothing to myself but what the Lord gives me.

Do I boldly stand for God and try to serve Him faithfully? Do I prayerfully prepare for opposition and determine to carry on humbly in God’s strength? We cannot serve God and be unduly concerned for the opinions of those who do not love Him.

Is there someone over whose success you have become jealous? Have you perhaps expressed your envy in the form of complaints? Will you take that attitude to the Lord and ask Him to forgive you and deliver you from it?

Lord, please forgive me and deliver me from evil!

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How quick are you to complain?

giveHow quick are you to complain?

Asked to name grievous sins, few among us would name complaining. But God used very strong language about those who complained about the manna (Israelites in the wilderness). He said they had rejected Him. Where do your constant complaints reveal unbelief in God’s goodness, power and faithfulness? Will you ask God to help cultivate an attitude of thankfulness?

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Complaining

stop complainingNumbers 11:10-35

Moses’ Complaints

In this passage Moses refers to himself over fifteen times.

Faith looks to God but unbelief focuses on ourselves.

Moses had turned inward and was not focused on God. He was exhausted. He felt the burden of the people. Moses had forgotten that God was involved. He had forgotten what God told him (Exodus 6. God speaks to Moses and tells Moses that the burden is on Him (God)).

Complaining results when we forget God’s promises.

God did not criticize Moses. Moses had cried out to God and brought his complaints directly to God.

The only thing to do with a complaint is to carry it to God in prayer.

What do I do with complaints? Do I vent to others, talk to others? Or do I take my complaints to the LORD? Do I cry out to God in prayer? Processing can still be a form of complaining. We need to take our dissatisfactions directly to God.

God answers the people with meat — lots of meat (till they were sick). And a plague (some died). Sometimes God’s judgment comes in the form of what we ask for. Be careful what you ask for.