We Know More Than God?

But Moses responded to the LORD, “There are 600,000 foot soldiers here with me, and yet you say, ‘I will give them meat for a whole month!’ Even if we butchered all our flocks and herds, would that satisfy them? Even if we caught all the fish in the sea, would that be enough?” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!” [Numbers 11.21-23]

It seems the children of Israel weren't the only ones with whiney attitudes. Moses himself seems to have been caught up in the pity party too.

I had a thought about faith today... I discussed with a man recently the problem of people who live in the lifestyles of chemical dependency, no moral compass, and general dysfunction. I made the comment that people like this exercise non-linear thinking. In other words, they do not consider the outcome of their decisions.

Non-linear thinking certainly IS an all too evident problem in most societies today.

However, it just occurred to me that the non-linear thinkers today probably best depict the people who flocked to Jesus in His day. Hmm.

You know what other group is known for non-linear thinking? Children. (see where this is going?)

Jesus was very clear in His stance regarding children. Here is the Biblical record:

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” [Matthew 19.14]

Before even reading my daily reading today, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit of linear thinking. I was convicted of being so forward-thinking about everything. I was convicted of thinking I know the outcome of certain actions based on observed and personal experience. I have erroneously, and faithlessly, looked at circumstances as if those circumstances were the end-all, unchangeable facts.

You see, knowledge is good, right? Of course. However, knowledge carries the potential for gross faithlessness when it does not yield to God's power and might - His ability to transcend what we call "facts" and do the impossible.

We see the "meat" issue in the opening passage above, but we also see another instance of linear thinking just a few verses later when Israel scouted the Promised Land. Prevailing mature linear thinking concluded that Israel was no match for the powerful occupants of their Promised Land. I personally wonder why Moses ever sent the spies on such a mission anyway... He actually told them to strategically 'size-up' the situation ahead of them.

Question: What report would a contingency of spies have brought back had they first checked out the area of the Red Sea shore where they became trapped by Egypt? Linear thinking has its drawbacks!

I am certainly not advocating stupidity here. But, I am very much suggesting that we temper our linear thinking with faith. Otherwise, how will we ever please God? I suppose if, in linear thinking we are incapable of avoiding becoming proud, then we should purpose instead to give no consideration to the outcomes of our actions. But then, that would be wrong in a different way, wouldn't it? Ours is simply to respond to the Spirit of God and His Word. If He leads us outside the realm of linear thinking, say, like to walk between walls of water with no earthly explanation how that phenomenon could be, then, we are to obey His leading (and deliverance).

Is there a premium on ignorance then? Certainly not! There is neither, however, a premium on knowledge! The premium is placed on faith! And, the Word of God is definitive and clear: without faith it is impossible to please God.

We complain because we think we know more about our situation than God. Yep, I just said that and, yep, I will likely get it served up on a platter very soon... 

We complain because we think we know more than God. Boy, are we wrong!

Father, forgive me for thinking I know anything. Forgive me for this erosion of faith in my life. I want to yield my thoughts and knowledge to Your power and to Your Word and to Your will...