RESULTS DON’T INDICATE GOD’S APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL

RESULTS DON’T INDICATE GOD’S APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL

Text: Deuteronomy 3:23-27
Memory text:
“that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Yesterday, we saw from the account in Numbers 20: 2-12, of how God brought out abundant water from the rock for the people in spite of the disobedience of Moses. God had told him to speak to the rock but Moses went ahead to do the contrary.
Then, is this miracle of water from the rock not an indicator of God’s approval of Moses’ rebellion? No, God’s throne is built on righteousness and justice (Psa 89:14). He will never approve unrighteousness but will punish it. However, nothing can change God’s purpose, not even the rebellion of man. “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.” ‭‭(Psa‬ ‭33‬:‭11‬).
God had already decided to provide water for the rebellious Israelites and nothing could change that plan.
It is also important to note that, God wanted to involve Moses in His plans and not that He needed him. To need Moses in the plan, it would have meant that the miracle of water from the rock wouldn’t have been possible without his cooperation. Let’s look at it this way. I don’t like traveling alone without someone accompanying me. I just want a company but that doesn’t mean that, without someone being with me, I can’t drive or travel alone. If I had planned to go on an important journey and someone who had already accepted to go with me disappointed me at the last minute, can I still go on that journey? Of course, yes, because I don’t need him to make my journey possible. Likewise, God only wanted Moses as His vessel to deliver the blessing and not as the Source of the blessing. According to our text, God meted out a severe punishment for Moses but didn’t allow Him to frustrate His purpose ‭‭(Num‬ ‭20‬:‭12‬). “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim 4:13).
Friends, always remember that God only wants to use you but doesn’t need you to accomplish His will. He will still do what He has planned if you chose to disobey Him. This should keep you humble while you are serving Him. Also, don’t be deceived by results as they don’t necessarily prove your obedience or God’s approval. Likewise, a lack of results doesn’t always indicate sin in you or God’s disapproval. Every disobedience will eventually be punished, irrespective of the pleasant results. In other words, results won’t cancel the consequences of your disobedience.

Prayer points
1. Father, help me to always remember that You don’t need me to accomplish Your plans so I can remain humble, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, let me not be deceived by results but to always choose obedience instead, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I will always be sensitive in the spirit, so I won’t be deceived by results.
2. Result or its lack is not an indication of God’s pleasure or displeasure but the will of God.

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng