Numbers 14-15; Mark 1
Whenever we face a high point in life and in our spiritual walks, we can usually be certain that a downward spiral isn't far behind. While this sounds scary or disheartening, we can rest assured that if we truly place it in the hands of our Father, that upward swing will come back. Today we read about instances in the lives of the Israelites and in Jesus' life of highs and lows. We also discover how important it is to keep Christ at the center and forefront of our lives to keep us in check during those swings.
As we continue to read of the Israelites' dismay at the land that is seemingly impossible to occupy. However, we need to keep in mind all of the miracles and hardships God has already pulled them through to get them there. It is incredibly generous of God to bring them to this land filled with blessing despite the grumblings and complaints of the people all along. Now, as the people continue to grumble and flat out reject the gift from God, the wrath of God pours out on them and is revoked from their generation, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua who had faith. Even after God had taken it away, the people realized they did want the land and tried to occupy it, but were chased far away.
Remember to look at what God has given you and what He has already done for you before complaining about what He is handing you. If you has pulled you out of the muck before, He sure will do it again if it is His will and direction for you. Don't look at the highs as lows in your life. Be thankful for all He has provided and don't wish for more or better. What He has given you is the best for you.
We need to make sure God is a priority in our lives each and every day. When we face those times in our lives that are high, it is easy to forget our dependence on Him and His strength, because it's not a high demand at the time. When we face those low times in life, it is easier to face when we have the relationship with Christ at our right hand, guiding us and showing us how to make it through. The Israelites had standards for coming before the Lord in their sacrifices and how they respected the Sabbath. While those standards aren't held to us and we have the freedom to come before God whenever and wherever we are, it is still important to make it a habit. Because we may not be stoned for dishonoring the Sabbath Day, life may be a little more tricky to navigate without spending time getting to know God and His voice.
Jesus experienced these highs and lows throughout His ministry. As we read about His story through the Gospel of Mark, we can see how Jesus seemed to live from a high to a low and back again. Jesus was baptized, then tempted, and his friend, John the Baptist was arrested. Then He called His disciples and began His ministry, healing many and carrying out the will of His Father.Notice, however that Jesus prays in an isolated place. Even He needed to take time to reconnect with His Father and know the direction He was going in. If Jesus set this example for us, we need to do this more than ever with each day.
One thing I'm intrigued by is the interaction that comes between Jesus and the man with leprosy. This man, who was probably feeling lower than low at the time, tells Jesus "If You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean." How often do you face something so low in life and say to Jesus "if You are willing...?" But do you know what the man did here? He gave the power to Jesus and made it His choice. He would have been fine either way, because he trusted what God was making out of his life that much. Jesus heals him, and tells him not to tell anyone else about it. However, the excitement this man had about being healed was something he couldn't keep to himself, and as a result Jesus was surrounded and followed everywhere He went. This man's low, his fear, became such a huge high and full of faith. Because he shared of his hope and his redemption, the Good News was shared.
You can be on a mountain top right now, or in the lowest pit possible in life, but know that in a blink of an eye, that can all change. How you handle your highs and your lows shares a story about Who Jesus is to you. Is His will enough for you? Don't underestimate a God Who has pulled you through before and complain about what He hands you. Don't neglect your time with Him and forget His voice when life is going well, because when you fall into that pit, you need to remember what His voice sounds like. Share the hope you have and remember to leave the choice in His hands for your life. He is creating something beautiful out of those highs and lows.
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