Subject to His Methodology

June 23

"For God w as in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:19

THE NINE AND A HALF TRIBES

In Joshua 22, the twelve tribes of Israel had finally inhabited the land promised them by God. Two and a half tribes had been granted the land east of the Jordan but had gone to the other side of the Jordan to help their familial tribes conquer their territories.

As the two and half tribes crossed the Jordan to return back to their new home, they began to consider the potential separation the Jordan River might present. As a memorial or reminder to remain connected to their tribes on the west side of the Jordan they built an altar. They said,

"It is to be a witness between us and you, and between the generations after us, so that we may carry out the worship of the Lord in His presence." (Joshua 22:27).

Now, the other nine and a half tribes saw the altar and thought the two and a half tribes were worshiping without them. They prepped to go to war and were basically willing to sever their relationship with a portion of their family because they assumed something about the motivation behind the altar.

The nine and a half tribes did not approach the situation with a spirit of reconciliation. Furthermore, instead of trying to understand and exercise some patience, they decided to go to war.

The war did not happen and it all got resolved, but how often do we assume, judge and act when really we should breathe, reflect Christ, and love. Isn't the latter behavior the ministry of reconciliation? -- Stacie Daniel



Do we at times find ourselves behaving like the nine and a half tribes—quick to presume, quick to judge, quick to believe the worst about those with whom we have the closest ties? Yes, unfortunately, we do.

The preferred course in the eventuality that a misunderstanding intrudes itself into our primary relationships is to pray first and to speak second. If we will do that, perhaps it will be totally unnecessary to engage in any action to attempt to resolve the matter.

If action does become necessary, it will not be engaged until we have heard from the Lord and receive His directive in the matter. We can be sure that before He tells us to engage in any action, He will have first clarified the matter for us so we will see it in reality rather than in confusion.

We know that He cautions us not to, “…think more highly of yourselves than ye ought,” Romans 12:3. If we have too lofty opinion of our own insights and our own wisdom, we will not allow the Holy Spirit the opportunity to, “teach us all things,” John 14:26, as Jesus Himself admonishes that we do.

Should we not do something as essential to our walk in Christ as is this in order to be subject to His methodology? Indeed, we should allow every aspect of our lives to be under the blood and subject to the profound wisdom of the Lord.