Saturday, January 7, 2012 - Playing the Fool

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' 

They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good."  

Psalm 14:1

     We only question God's Presence, Love and Purpose when things don't go according to our plan, when someone lets us down, or when we want to change God's plan or rules because temptation whispers persistently from dark corners.  At those times we must guard against playing the fool who questions God's right to rule us, His plan for us, His protective laws, His saving Word, and His loving watchfulness.  In spite of our ignorance of His big picture we, like the angry thief on the other cross, angrily demand He prove His God-ness by saving us from our present predicaments.  Our unspoken ultimatum?  "If You don't, then You're not God"  or at least, "You're not my God," and that's scary, shaky, sinking, sandy ground on which to try to build a life.  

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. . . But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."  Matthew 7:24 and 26-27

Lord, be patient with our petty, pouting faith.  We're babies - wanting what we want now and we're unwilling to wait and see what You're doing in us, in the people around us, and in our circumstances.  Enunciate clearly, Spirit, and drown out any seeds of doubt in You and Your Truth.  Save us from foolishly trying other foundations and self-created laws. Our plans fail when You haven't breathed them into our hearts and minds.  Keep us from temptation and help our unbelief.

In the Name of Jesus Who lived an unwavering life of faith