Friday, May 24, 2024

Jacob 4:13-14 -- On Plainness and Stumbling

"Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old.
But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble."
Jacob 4:13-14


The idea that God will give us what we desire is pretty cool, but I think this illustrates the scary side of it. God will give us what we desire, sometimes even if it is the absolutely wrong thing for us. He warns us and counsels us first, letting us know that it is a bad idea, if we will listen. If we don't, then we eventually get it... and things like that can often destroy our lives.

Today, let's focus on Christ, and learn from him when to look for symbols and subtext and when to accept the plain truth that isn't hiding anything. Let's remember that sometimes (likely often) we want things that we shouldn't have, and that are going to be bad for us. God can help us with that and teach us how and what to ask for, and he can change our hearts so that we want good things. Let's turn to him and ask for and work for that blessing, so that we don't lead ourselves astray.

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