I'm writing today so that we may be encouraged and note, inquire within and ask ourselves, "what we are presenting" ourselves to. What is infiltrating our minds, our bodies and causing even rational, logic to escape us.
Often fear and anxiety strap us to a point of immobility. We can't function. The Voice of the Lord seems far away. The simplicity of life becomes so complicated, poisoned by the noise of the world. The distractions we engage in pull us from his peace!
Are we filled with his Spirit? Are we inviting
his Good Presence to be in our midst?
Nadab and Abihu who were serving before the Lord took casually their service to the Holy One. Though they had instructions on how to minister before the Lord, something happened and they brought to the Lord an unauthorized fire.
Was this an unnecessary death? Scripture says that though they knew what was supposed to be brought to the Lord they choose something less than. Scripture does not say for sure, but I wonder if these two sons of Aaron were under the influence of fermented drink?
We do know that the Lord spoke to Aaron and the two brothers shortly afterwards.
"Then the Lord said to Aaron, “You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come." (Lev. 10:8-9)
There should be nothing that clouds our mind. We know that the enemy's war ground is the mind. Why succumb, give control over to anything that would influence our thinking?
The warning out of 1st Peter reads, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13)
We are encouraged to protect our head, our mind, our thoughts with the "helmet of salvation." God knows what we need!
Unnecessary death? This could be in any area of our lives. Take another look in the mirror of the Word of God and ask the Lord to reveal areas of compromise. Then ask the Holy Spirit for his help.
Seek someone to trust in and pray, pray without ceasing. God is faithful to help us in our weakness.
Compromise could be anything that leads us away from our Great God.
God bless you! Liz
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:18-20)
