I stand corrected

^{by: carole l. haines}

⁸ Then Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi, ⁹ is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them; ¹⁰ and that He has brought you near, Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking for the priesthood also? ¹¹ Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the Lord; but as for Aaron, who is he that you grumble against him?” (Numbers 15:5-11 NASB)

Grumbling and complaining, offering our opinions, over stepping our bounds, it’s so easy to do.  And I found myself doing just that recently.  It’s so easy to have our own opinions on things, but God is not a God of opinion, He is the God of truth.  I was corrected by God yesterday, and this morning, the Bible reading of the day was Numbers 15, The Rebellion of Korah.  This is quite a terrifying passage of Scripture.  If you have never read it before, I highly recommend reading it, especially in regards to speaking against God’s appointed leaders.  None of us is perfect, neither are our leaders.  But God is the one who raises people up into those positions, and I was reminded again, firmly but kindly, to respect my leaders.

One of the things that has tripped me up consistently in my life, is the wrong idea that I have a right to my opinion.  You know, that’s not a Biblical concept at all.  Nowhere is this idea found in the Bible.  If we truly believe that God is the author of all truth, then dying to our right to our own opinion, is a must in following Jesus.  God is so kind to correct us, and gently bring us back under His hand of leadership, when we have fallen prey to our own opinions or perspectives on issues.

I was reminded by Him both yesterday and today, to pray about everything before I speak. (Philippians 4:6)

I was reminded by God to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”       (James 1:19)

And to respect my leaders, and those in authority over me:

¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.¹² But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, ¹³ and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. (1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 NASB)

Thank you Dearest Lord, for your loving words of redirection. I stand corrected, humbled, and overjoyed at the Mercy of the Lord