Many pastors, servants of God, and many Christians in general are like king Saul. They are moved and they make decisions because they fear people. The root is fear. But on the surface, it is pressure from one's peer. Perhaps, elders or deacons with clout can pressure a pastor to preach certain subjects or make them lighten up on the truth. Perhaps, congregations or members with money can pressure a pastor or church leaders to make certain decisions.
Usually any form of pressure with a threat is a form of control. It is Jezebel at work. If elders or deacons have the power to fire a pastor, they can use this as a form of control against a pastor. Such power can also be exerted by congregational members. Making any demands to force one to do a certain thing is control.
If you work and you demand more money and if you do not receive a raise and you threaten to quit, this is control and it is a Jezebel spirit at work. When you see little children play and if one gets angry and moves away from the group demanding group comes to him/her, this is a form of control and also Jezebel at work.
King Saul was given a command. He was given truth. He knew truth but yet because he feared the ridicule of people, he disobeyed God. The people controlled king Saul. It was the people who were stubborn. They wanted to serve God their way. They asked for a king because they wanted to be like the other nations. Although, the other nations had a king, they got to self rule. They got to make their own rules and come up with their own terms.
1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim (household good luck images). Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.
Today, is no different. Many Christians do not really serve God. They serve themselves using His Name and banner. They are trying to control God by serving HIM the way they want to serve HIM and not the way HE wants them to serve HIM. This is the deception of many Christians. When we pray, what are we praying for? We pray for the things that satisfy our own lust and selfish desires. And this is why most of our prayers do not get answered. But when we pray for our own selfish desires and when they do get answered, it is to our own detriment.
God's people prayed for meat in Numbers chapter 11. They had complained about the manna. They reminisced about the good old days of Egypt.
Numbers 11:4 And the mixed multitude among them [the rabble who followed Israel from Egypt] began to lust greatly [for familiar and dainty food], and the Israelites wept again and said, Who will give us meat to eat?5 We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt and without cost, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.6 But now our soul (our strength) is dried up; there is nothing at all [in the way of food] to be seen but this manna.
In today's term, what does the cucumbers, melons, leeks, and dainty food represent? They represent the old sinful nature when we used to drink, smoke, party, fornicate, curse, lie, cheat, gamble, hung out with worldly friends, did worldly things, and etc. They want to feed the lust of their flesh.
What is manna? Manna is doing church things. It is feeding from Jesus. They complained, "there is nothing at all in the way of food to be seen but this manna." Praying has become not only boring for many but to pray for one hour is unheard of? Manna is church time but most can't even stand one hour in church. They yearn and seek the food of the world. They are so eager to have church finished yesterday. Get up a little late or a little to tire to go to church or to send time with God feeding from HIM? You are despising the manna.
They said that they wanted meat to eat! They wanted to satisfy the desires of their lustful flesh. Today, is no different. Most Christians do not want manna but they want the meat of the world. They rather go to a ball game or watch TV then worship God on the Lord's Day. They rather sleep and be lazy at home. They rather do things that please themselves.
More manna? Church service to be three hours? Many Christians without realizing are complaining and grumbling to God. Grace will not save you if you continue to reject and deny HIM.
Yes, the spirit may be willing but the flesh is weak. But who will persevere until the end? Will HE find faith when HE returns?
Fire of God International Church
Pst Steve Yong Kim
amen
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