"Rescue me and deliver me out of the power of [hostile] alien [tribes] whose mouths speak deceit and whose right hands are right hands [raised in taking] fraudulent oaths." (Psalm 144:11 AMPC)
…
The Lord needs to rescue us and deliver us from the "hostile alien tribes" of behaviours. Behaviours that are hostile and alien to the life of Christ. Strange manifestations that are not congruent with becoming like Jesus. Our primary pursuit in life as Christians is to be one with Christ in character and disposition.
"For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29 AMPC)
We have the privilege of being foreordained for the purpose of being moulded into the image of Christ. Everything that happens to us in life, after accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour, is to achieve this aim.
When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, there were strange behaviours and attitudes that came out with them. God took them through the terrible wilderness in order to purge them of these strange behaviours. Let us look at some of these strange, hostile behaviours:
1. UNBELIEF:One of such behaviours was unbelief, irrespective of their miraculous experiences, they could not have faith in God. They doubted Him at every opportunity. Are we different today? All the miraculous dealings of God in our lives are to strengthen us in faith.
2. DESIRE TO EXPERIMENT WITH FOODS: They were desirous of the foods they ate in bondage. They misunderstood the purpose of foods. Rather than eating to have strength to continue on their journey, they savoured foods as means of enjoyment. Many of us are like them.
"Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child or a servant and when your officials feast in the morning! Happy (fortunate and to be envied) are you, O land, when your king is a free man and of noble birth and character and when your officials feast at the proper time–for strength and not for drunkenness! [Isa. 32:8.] Through indolence the rafters [of state affairs] decay and the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. [Instead of repairing the breaches, the officials] make a feast for laughter, serve wine to cheer life, and [depend on tax] money to answer for all of it." (Ecclesiastes 10:16-19 AMPC)
Another strange behaviour in our midst as believers today is makings of empty promises. People are not afraid to make vows or promises they are not willing to keep. It is becoming more difficult to take people for their words.
ACTION PLAN: Let us all reflect on our behaviours and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those that are strange to Jesus' life.
PRAYER: Rid me, oh Lord of strange characters that are not in line with that of Jesus.
…
The Lord needs to rescue us and deliver us from the "hostile alien tribes" of behaviours. Behaviours that are hostile and alien to the life of Christ. Strange manifestations that are not congruent with becoming like Jesus. Our primary pursuit in life as Christians is to be one with Christ in character and disposition.
"For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29 AMPC)
We have the privilege of being foreordained for the purpose of being moulded into the image of Christ. Everything that happens to us in life, after accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour, is to achieve this aim.
When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, there were strange behaviours and attitudes that came out with them. God took them through the terrible wilderness in order to purge them of these strange behaviours. Let us look at some of these strange, hostile behaviours:
1. UNBELIEF:One of such behaviours was unbelief, irrespective of their miraculous experiences, they could not have faith in God. They doubted Him at every opportunity. Are we different today? All the miraculous dealings of God in our lives are to strengthen us in faith.
2. DESIRE TO EXPERIMENT WITH FOODS: They were desirous of the foods they ate in bondage. They misunderstood the purpose of foods. Rather than eating to have strength to continue on their journey, they savoured foods as means of enjoyment. Many of us are like them.
"Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child or a servant and when your officials feast in the morning! Happy (fortunate and to be envied) are you, O land, when your king is a free man and of noble birth and character and when your officials feast at the proper time–for strength and not for drunkenness! [Isa. 32:8.] Through indolence the rafters [of state affairs] decay and the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. [Instead of repairing the breaches, the officials] make a feast for laughter, serve wine to cheer life, and [depend on tax] money to answer for all of it." (Ecclesiastes 10:16-19 AMPC)
Another strange behaviour in our midst as believers today is makings of empty promises. People are not afraid to make vows or promises they are not willing to keep. It is becoming more difficult to take people for their words.
ACTION PLAN: Let us all reflect on our behaviours and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those that are strange to Jesus' life.
PRAYER: Rid me, oh Lord of strange characters that are not in line with that of Jesus.
