Corrective Criticism

A plea for food was rejected and the hungry army was sent on its way.  Even though they needed sustenance they kept going always loyal to their duty.  A meal would have given them the energy needed to be more efficient at their task, but without it they still continued on.  Such loyalty was not seen by those who refused to share their food.  All they thought about were the benefits they could get out of the situation.   A promised word was not enough to motivate them to share what they had.  They put a condition on their supplies.  Even though they had been made aware of the miracle of God in providing the victory the army had achieved to this point it wasn’t enough as far as they were concerned.  God’s word wasn’t enough.  It had to be their way or no way.  When God had provided the complete victory for the army as promised his words of judgment against the greed of the town also came to pass.  They refused to be corrected in their mistake and accordingly received their reward.

Loss is always an emotional experience.  It was no different for the prophet of old who had ordained the king, saw him rise to fame and then plummet into disgrace because he had chosen to turn from the God of Heaven.  The time for mourning needed to end so the prophet was given a new task.  As he met with the family he was asked to speak to, he observed the stature, looks, disposition of each of the sons with the view of one of them being ordained as the new king as he had been instructed to do.  He saw the height of one and the looks of another and the strength in the next, but each was rejected by God.  He was told don’t look so carefully on the outside appearance for God looks on the heart and accordingly makes his choice.  The son to be chosen wasn’t there yet, but he was called for the Lord knew his heart was receptive to doing what was asked of him.  So it is with us we need to be willing to hear God speak to us and follow his instruction, and when needed to be corrected.

Does it take the watchful eye to motivate you to do your best in your work?  Sadly for some that is the case, but thankfully it is possible to improve and change.  His loyalty had been proved many times over and he didn’t need the watchful eye to ensure he was doing his work well.  Many an obstacle in his way proved challenging though and a few words of encouragement went a long way to help him stay focused to walk in the way of faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.  If only it was the same for those he ministered to.  They had taken their eyes off God and his truth, so selfishness surfaced as their code of conduct.  The possessions they owned and the way they were able to obtain it and use it drove their thoughts and actions.  Their self-importance directed another course to follow other than the way of the Lord.  They didn’t appear to care for the correction the Lord was sending them through this loyal servant of his, but the consequences would still happen if they didn’t change their minds.

His had been a promising career.  Intelligence was his, a position of trust was his, and he was part of the selected few who were given the extra instruction so they could minister and teach others the better way of living.  Yet, something wasn’t quite right.  When loyalty mattered the most it wasn’t there, and under the influence of the desire of his heart he betrayed the one who had done nothing but the best for him.  Shame and remorse sadly ended his life instead of causing him to do a U turn and make better choices.  His friends were together considering what he had done and realised that Scripture fulfilled itself in his actions.  Would they be tempted to do something like that?  The possibility was there, but so was the instruction that if they wait on the Lord he will send the Holy Spirit who will guide and instruct them in the right way to go.  Patiently they waited, received and went out to tell others as they had been instructed.

What instruction, correction or constructive criticism are you receiving from the Lord?  Are you willing to take heed and make the necessary changes so that punishment and discipline doesn’t have to deal with your stubborn heart?  Will you be led by the God who reads the heart or the eyes that sees the outside appearance?  Will you persist in your way and receive a beating for your short sightedness?  Will you be loyal under all circumstances and let that be the direction you go instead of letting the pleasures of this world take over and cause you to lose your love for the Lord?  Are you willing to patiently wait with the Lord and heed the Holy Spirit’s instructions when they come?  Life is filled with choices and the choices we make will determine the course we travel whether it is with the Lord or not.  There is no other option, so which one, will you chose to travel this week?