Pick Your Battles, But Don't Fight God

Today’s Reading:  Malachi 3; Malachi 4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

SCRIPTURE:  Acts 5:38-39

“...I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

OBSERVATION:

The problem was not that these religious leaders were simply wrong about the apostles.  It is not that they just lacked understanding, wondering if the Apostles ministry was from God or not.  They were not trying to preserve true ministry.  Verse 17 tells us that thy were persecuting the apostles because they were angry and filled with jealousy.  A wise Pharisee among them stood up and let them know that by trying to intimidate God’s people they are putting themselves in the ring with God himself.  Do you really want to tangle with God?

The only thing worse than fighting temptation, fighting the devil, fighting the flesh, etc. is fighting God.  It is impossible to win that fight.  It would have been easier for these men to fight against their own issues of anger, fear, and jealousy than to take on God.

APPLICATION:

I never want to tangle with God.  Yet there are times that I have anger, jealousy, a competitive spirit, or a bad attitude toward something or someone.  I know that God’s plan is that I be healthy in my heart.  However, sometimes it seems easier to take on the people or the the circumstances that are “causing” me grief than to unpack the issues of my heart and wrestle with them.  

The problem is that when you ignore the issues of your heart you are definitely out numbered - you are taking on your heart issues, your circumstances, and God Himself.  However, when you focus on your heart it is a fair fight - God is on your side.  It is 2 against 2 - you and God against the issues of your heart and the circumstances that brought them to the surface.  With God for us, who can be against us.

PRAYER: 

Thank you Father that I have you in my corner.  Help me to never shrink back from the issues of my heart.  Help me to face them head on as you bring them to light and as you instigate the battle.  I know that as I purpose in my heart to pursue rightness of heart with you, I can count on you to win the battle on my behalf and for your glory.  Thank you for accepting me where I am and growing me into the person you designed me to be.  In Jesus name - AMEN!