Sudden - Preparing for the Spiritually Unexpected (part 2)
Introduction. In part 1, we observed that many adverse things can happen suddenly and unexpectedly in our physical lives. As a result, there is much wisdom behind the catch-phrase “Be Prepared”. We noted the same could be said about sudden events in our spiritual lives as well with sudden exposure to sinful temptations, unexpected opportunities to do good, or sudden confrontation over our faith in God. While people routinely prepare for the physically unexpected (e.g., insurance, first aid kit, emergency savings account), too many people do not adequately prepare for the spiritually unexpected.
In this part of our study, we will see what we can learn from how people in the Bible responded to unexpected spiritual challenges.
The Value of Biblical Examples. Before we do that, we should address a potential concern or objection – “How can the examples of people living thousands of years ago have any meaning for me today in our modern world?” It is certainly true that we live in a technologically advanced, Internet-enhanced, convenience-rich “enlightened” age. But peel back the surface aspects of modern living and we are still human with the same kinds of emotional challenges, weaknesses, and fleshly desires as “ancient people” (Eccl. 1:9-10; James 5:17).
Biblical Examples - Negative. So, let’s see what we can learn from people who didn’t do so well when confronted with the spiritually unexpected.
Eve. From Gen. 2 we learn of the child-like innocence of the first humans. With a loving God as their provider, they peacefully existed in the Garden of Eden that God provided. Unfortunately, that didn’t last. As revealed in Gen. 3, 2 Cor. 11:3, and 1 Tim. 2:14, Eve was presented with the spiritual challenge of believing God or the serpent. Although she had a close relationship with God, “when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise”, she made the wrong choice and influenced her husband to do the same. As 1 John 2:16 summarizes, both she and we have the same challenges with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
Moses. For all the faithful persistence that Moses showed leading the Israelites out of Egypt, he was a just a man like us, had his own spiritual challenges, and on occasion didn’t do very well. In Exodus 3, we see his hesitancy & unwillingness to rise to the opportunity presented by God. And many decades later, we see him losing his temper, saying things he shouldn’t, and doing things he shouldn’t. How do we react when presented with an unexpected spiritual opportunity? Is it “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” Ex. 4:13)? Or how do we react when confronted with a sudden urge to get angry and lash out at people? How well are we prepared?
The Israelites. After only three days past the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelites start to show their lack of gratitude and faith by grumbling about their condition (Ex. 15:22-24). As you read more about their journey to the Promised Land, that pattern repeats and escalates into open rebellion with the discouraging report of the men sent to spy out the land in Num. 13. When faced with adverse conditions, likewise, do we grumble and complain (1 Cor. 10:10-11)? Or are we prepared to show our loving and confident faith in God regardless of the circumstances (Phil. 4:11-13)?
Achan. “…I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak … and … silver, and … gold, then I coveted them and took them...” (Josh. 7:21) Thus was the confession of a man who had violated God’s command to devote everything in Jericho to destruction (Josh. 6:17). When confronted with a sudden opportunity to make a financial profit via questionable, unethical, or illegal means, what will we do? Or how often do we succumb to the temptation of chasing after material possessions (a.k.a., “to keep up with the Jones’s”) at the expense of our spiritual possessions (Matt. 6:19-34; Luke 12:15).
Rehoboam. When suddenly confronted with a major political decision, Rehoboam wisely sought the advice of various counsellors (1 Kings 12; Prov. 11:14; Prov. 15:22). Unfortunately, although he was the son of the wise King Solomon, he was not prepared. He chose to listen to the “wisdom” of his peers instead of those with more experience. As a result, he caused a major split in the nation of Israel that was never healed. When confronted with a major decision that has spiritual ramifications, who do we choose to listen to? Too many people, especially younger ones, have been led astray by bad advice from their worldly friends. How about you? Are you prepared to listen to wise, scriptural council, even if it isn’t what we might like to hear?
A prophet from Judah. After Rehoboam’s foolish decision resulted in the rebellion of the northern tribes and their unification under Jeroboam, Jeroboam instituted a number of false religious practices, including setting up idols for the people to worship and sacrifice to in Dan and Bethel. In 1 Kings 13 we read of an unnamed man commanded by God to deliver an important message against such evil practices in Bethel and then hurry back home. On the way home, he was suddenly intercepted by another prophet who deceived him into disobeying God. When confronted by the teachings of a preacher, priest, or other religious leader that seems questionable or outright contradicts what we know about the Bible, do we just blindly accept it without question? As Jesus warns in Luke 6:39, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?”
David and Bathsheba. In a classic tale of sexual lust, fornication/adultery, pride, and murder, we read the sad story David’s succumbing to sudden temptation in 2 Sam. 11. We “moderns” would do well to learn from his example in our “liberated” world of immodest clothing, mixed swimming, sex-influenced entertainment & advertising, on-demand Internet-based pornography, rampant fornication, easy divorce, and such.
The Parables. In Matt. 7:24-27 as well as Matt. 13:3-23, Jesus warns about people who hear His word, but don’t incorporate it into their lives. When sudden “rain, flood, and winds” beat on their “house” or when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, their “house” or spiritual life will fall. Are we careful to listen to Jesus words and obey them? Are we careful to get rid of hindering “rocks” in our life and sink our roots deep into God’s word so we will survive sudden persecution?
Peter. While Peter was usually bold and zealous for Jesus, he did have his moments of weakness when suddenly confronted with spiritual challenges:
Biblical Examples - Positive. On the positive side, the Bible has examples of people who did much better when confronted with the spiritually unexpected. And we can learn from their positive examples as well, which we will try to do in part 3 of our study.
In this part of our study, we will see what we can learn from how people in the Bible responded to unexpected spiritual challenges.
The Value of Biblical Examples. Before we do that, we should address a potential concern or objection – “How can the examples of people living thousands of years ago have any meaning for me today in our modern world?” It is certainly true that we live in a technologically advanced, Internet-enhanced, convenience-rich “enlightened” age. But peel back the surface aspects of modern living and we are still human with the same kinds of emotional challenges, weaknesses, and fleshly desires as “ancient people” (Eccl. 1:9-10; James 5:17).
Biblical Examples - Negative. So, let’s see what we can learn from people who didn’t do so well when confronted with the spiritually unexpected.
Eve. From Gen. 2 we learn of the child-like innocence of the first humans. With a loving God as their provider, they peacefully existed in the Garden of Eden that God provided. Unfortunately, that didn’t last. As revealed in Gen. 3, 2 Cor. 11:3, and 1 Tim. 2:14, Eve was presented with the spiritual challenge of believing God or the serpent. Although she had a close relationship with God, “when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise”, she made the wrong choice and influenced her husband to do the same. As 1 John 2:16 summarizes, both she and we have the same challenges with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
Moses. For all the faithful persistence that Moses showed leading the Israelites out of Egypt, he was a just a man like us, had his own spiritual challenges, and on occasion didn’t do very well. In Exodus 3, we see his hesitancy & unwillingness to rise to the opportunity presented by God. And many decades later, we see him losing his temper, saying things he shouldn’t, and doing things he shouldn’t. How do we react when presented with an unexpected spiritual opportunity? Is it “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” Ex. 4:13)? Or how do we react when confronted with a sudden urge to get angry and lash out at people? How well are we prepared?
The Israelites. After only three days past the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelites start to show their lack of gratitude and faith by grumbling about their condition (Ex. 15:22-24). As you read more about their journey to the Promised Land, that pattern repeats and escalates into open rebellion with the discouraging report of the men sent to spy out the land in Num. 13. When faced with adverse conditions, likewise, do we grumble and complain (1 Cor. 10:10-11)? Or are we prepared to show our loving and confident faith in God regardless of the circumstances (Phil. 4:11-13)?
Achan. “…I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak … and … silver, and … gold, then I coveted them and took them...” (Josh. 7:21) Thus was the confession of a man who had violated God’s command to devote everything in Jericho to destruction (Josh. 6:17). When confronted with a sudden opportunity to make a financial profit via questionable, unethical, or illegal means, what will we do? Or how often do we succumb to the temptation of chasing after material possessions (a.k.a., “to keep up with the Jones’s”) at the expense of our spiritual possessions (Matt. 6:19-34; Luke 12:15).
Rehoboam. When suddenly confronted with a major political decision, Rehoboam wisely sought the advice of various counsellors (1 Kings 12; Prov. 11:14; Prov. 15:22). Unfortunately, although he was the son of the wise King Solomon, he was not prepared. He chose to listen to the “wisdom” of his peers instead of those with more experience. As a result, he caused a major split in the nation of Israel that was never healed. When confronted with a major decision that has spiritual ramifications, who do we choose to listen to? Too many people, especially younger ones, have been led astray by bad advice from their worldly friends. How about you? Are you prepared to listen to wise, scriptural council, even if it isn’t what we might like to hear?
A prophet from Judah. After Rehoboam’s foolish decision resulted in the rebellion of the northern tribes and their unification under Jeroboam, Jeroboam instituted a number of false religious practices, including setting up idols for the people to worship and sacrifice to in Dan and Bethel. In 1 Kings 13 we read of an unnamed man commanded by God to deliver an important message against such evil practices in Bethel and then hurry back home. On the way home, he was suddenly intercepted by another prophet who deceived him into disobeying God. When confronted by the teachings of a preacher, priest, or other religious leader that seems questionable or outright contradicts what we know about the Bible, do we just blindly accept it without question? As Jesus warns in Luke 6:39, “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?”
David and Bathsheba. In a classic tale of sexual lust, fornication/adultery, pride, and murder, we read the sad story David’s succumbing to sudden temptation in 2 Sam. 11. We “moderns” would do well to learn from his example in our “liberated” world of immodest clothing, mixed swimming, sex-influenced entertainment & advertising, on-demand Internet-based pornography, rampant fornication, easy divorce, and such.
The Parables. In Matt. 7:24-27 as well as Matt. 13:3-23, Jesus warns about people who hear His word, but don’t incorporate it into their lives. When sudden “rain, flood, and winds” beat on their “house” or when tribulation or persecution arises because of the Word, their “house” or spiritual life will fall. Are we careful to listen to Jesus words and obey them? Are we careful to get rid of hindering “rocks” in our life and sink our roots deep into God’s word so we will survive sudden persecution?
Peter. While Peter was usually bold and zealous for Jesus, he did have his moments of weakness when suddenly confronted with spiritual challenges:
- Walking on water in Sea of Galilee and becoming afraid (Matt. 14:30-31)
- Denying Jesus three times after staunchly proclaiming he would never do that (Matt. 26)
- Showing hypocrisy with Gentile Christians (Gal. 2)
- “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12)
Biblical Examples - Positive. On the positive side, the Bible has examples of people who did much better when confronted with the spiritually unexpected. And we can learn from their positive examples as well, which we will try to do in part 3 of our study.