God is not a man

Hello Bride of Christ,

Many times when we are exposed to new things we often try to compare it or liken it to something familiar. When I first started playing water polo there were many times I had to have teammates explain the rules to me using basketball terms and methodologies, since that was familiar to me. However, there are many things about water polo that are only applicable to that particular sport. So slowly I had to make the unfamiliar familiar and stop leaning on my basketball experience. Too often we want to do the same with God. We want to understand His ways and His thoughts and so we humanize Him too much. Jesus was God in man form, but God the Father is still holy and separate. 

Balaam a prophet in the book of Numbers understood this aspect of God. He respected God and so when asked by Balak to curse the children of Israel, Balaam would often preface to Balak, "I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more." (Numbers 22:20) Balak however would not listen and would continually ask Balaam to curse the children of Israel and Balaam in turn would do what God told him to do and it resulted in blessings being spoken over Israel. After being taken to many different places by Balak and being asked repeatedly to curse Israel Balaam speaks up:

"Rise up, Balak, and hear! Listen to me, son of Zippor!
 God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. 
Has He said and will He not do? 
Or has He spoken and will He not make it good? 
Behold, I have received a command to bless; 
He has blessed and I cannot reverse it." 

(Numbers 23:18-20) 

Much like basketball is not water polo and therefore cannot serve as the proper basis to learn to play the game of water polo correctly. God is not man that we may think we can manipulate His plans or expect that He will not follow through with His word. Jesus Himself, God in man form, was all about the Father's business and learned to deny His own will and follow His Father's will, "Not what I will, but what thou wilt" (Mark 14:36). Balaam recognized God was separate and holy. He recognized God was a promise keeper and will always follow through. Balaam also recognize the limitations of man. Once God declares something man does not have the power to reverse it. 

Bride of Christ, may Balaam's words awaken us and call us to reflect on the areas of our lives where we are treating God like a man. Areas where we have clearly heard God speak, but because we do not like His answer we ask Him again hoping He would repent and change His mind. Areas where we have clearly heard God speak, but because we had different plans we ask Him again hoping we can reverse His doings. Instead let us submit unto Him. Submit with a heart knowing He is not man so He will not lie to us. He will not change His mind. He will never stop loving us. He will always do for us more than what we ask, think or imagine through the power that is working within us (Ephesians 3:20). Remember your first love (Revelation 2: 4) and give Him thanks because He is our creator and Abba Father. Give Him thanks that He is the great I AM (Exodus 3:14). Do not limit God to our frail beings and our limited minds, but instead speak what He tells you to speak, do what He tells you to do, go where He tells you to go, and glorify Him! God's desire is to use you to reach this world. He has chosen you before the foundations of the world for such a time as this! Now to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever, and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:21)