Misplaced Glory: Part Two
The addiction to self-glorification can develop into a disease that not only destroys those around you but will eventually destroy you…as it estranges us from God himself! Like so many diseases, its symptoms can hardly be noticed in the beginning but as its influence over our actions and motives grows, its grasp becomes more and more difficult to escape!
Such was the case with Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar, who should have known the price for taking God’s glory as his own! But despite the warning of what had happened to his father, he persisted in his egotism until there was no room left for repentance!
Just what was his transgression? Where did he go so wrong as to have the words MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN written not only on the wall of his banquet hall but over his life and kingdom?
# 1Belshazzar’s first mistake is found in Daniel 5:23: He “lifted up [himself] against the Lord of heaven.” Now few of us are going to openly challenge God although some atheists have tried to match strength. However, there are more subtle ways in which we oppose Him.
First, we lift ourselves against the Lord by challenging His Word. Often in our readings, we run across commandments that are contrary to our lifestyles. It is human nature to justify ourselves but we must be careful not to vaunt our knowledge and understanding against God’s. Belshazzar was not necessarily shouting from the rooftops, ‘Take that, God!’ In fact, he completely ignored God’s existence! Instead, he had justified his actions and purposes as more befitting the times, his position, and reason than God’s Word!
How often have we considered Biblical commandments and advice to be ‘out of sync’ with our modern times? Isn’t such a supposition vaunting our own reasoning above God’s? Be realistic: God is omniscient. He didn’t write something in his word, NOT KNOWING how things would be in our society today. He isn’t standing up in heaven with white-out, wishing he could FIX his Word to fit our society! No, he wrote those things in the Bible for a reason and they still apply today!
We’ve become so smug in our idea of civilization that we think our ways, our government, our fashion, our culture is above any other …including that prescribed by God! But be assured, if America continues to flaunt God’s Word, it’s days are numbered!
Many today may say:
• Times have changed;
• I don’t feel personally convicted;
• That commandment was only for that civilization long ago;
• God will love me anyway because His name is applied to me;
But, according to scripture, God honors His Word above His name!
Therefore, you cannot be giving glory to God’s name without first recognizing and honoring through obedience, His Word!!
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8; Mark 7:6). Jesus is quoting an earlier rendition of this sentiment found in Isaiah 29:13. Apparently, being mentioned three times, it is a matter for concern.
How many people are worshipping God by singing and praising in church but they daily disobey his commandments, revealing a disrespect and a false heart toward God?
A second way in which we lift ourselves against God is by challenging the God-given authority structure. Consider 1 Corinthians 11:3, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” There is a clear hierarchy in the home, yet our society daily mocks such ‘old-fashioned’ ideas. Can we truly be blessed when we place our ideas above God’s design for the family?
Not only is there a hierarchy in the family unit, but there is, likewise, a design created by God for our churches. Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
While a church board is indeed important to ensure the proper functioning of the church within our governmental structure, it is important that we realize which servants of God the Lord has chosen to speak through. It is the leadership of the ministry which should be directing the major decisions of the church.
Unfortunately, our society today screams for ‘EQUALITY’ and for us to ‘QUESTION AUTHORITY,’ but it will come to destruction if, in doing so, you have called into question the very structure that God Almighty has put into place!
When we heed these maxims, we are defying God by saying His plan for His creation and His church is faulty…and somehow we esteem ourselves to think that we know better than God!
BUT, no matter what age, what culture, what nation… “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). (Oh, by the way, Jesus said that…)
When we disrespect the ministry, we disrespect God who placed the ministry in our lives. And when we as women decide to follow the cultural, sexual revolution rather than honoring our husbands, we are guilty of the same. It doesn’t mean that either ministers or husbands are given the freedom to be heavy-handed taskmasters, but it does mean that those offices deserve respect and reverence. They are our leadership.
As an example of what I am discussing, allow me to share an experience I had this past Friday. As any forward-thinking professional, I have made my resume available online. It is not that I am actively seeking another profession, but I always make myself available should something better be offered to me.
In response to my resume, I received a phone call from a company here in town. The man offered me an interview but when I began to ask about the details of the position, he was hesitant. I told him that before deciding, I would like to speak with my husband and I would get back with him. The man completely lost his temper, accusing me of being ‘stuck in the 50’s.’ He claimed that women today don’t have to consult their husbands or get approval before they change careers and that getting my husband’s advice showed that I was unprofessional.
I was utterly shocked by his response…but so was he by mine. I calmly replied that as my husband and I are a team, we consider all life-changing decisions together. I also mentioned that my husband is a minister and is the godly leadership in our home so I highly value his opinion in such matters. I told the man that I would not be making such a decision which would impact our home, our family, and our ministry without my husband—whether I told the employer about it or not—and that I felt sorry for him that his wife obviously did not afford him the same honor.
He was flabbergasted, to say the least. He then accused me of being too insecure to make a decision on my own. I proceeded to explain to him how a family works in God’s design; in fact, such a hierarchy offers protection to the woman if the husband indeed loves her. There have been some ventures that my husband did not support because it would be detrimental to my health, would increase my stress levels, and would ultimately affect our ministry or home life. Realizing his love for me and our life together, I have always listened.
Having explained, I thanked the man on the phone for his kind offer of an interview but explained that I was no longer interested in the position. Apparently, the man could not understand God’s design nor respect it in operation. Why would I want to work in an industry so confused and abrasive when confronted with a godly family?
Believe me, I am proud to be a woman. I love being a woman of God. In fact, I love it so much that I am uninterested in trying to be like a man….let that sink in. Our society claims equal rights yet only if women take on the roles, responsibilities, and even attributes of men. Why can’t we simply be satisfied, confident, and happy being the creature God made us to be?
Such was the case with Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar, who should have known the price for taking God’s glory as his own! But despite the warning of what had happened to his father, he persisted in his egotism until there was no room left for repentance!
Just what was his transgression? Where did he go so wrong as to have the words MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN written not only on the wall of his banquet hall but over his life and kingdom?
# 1Belshazzar’s first mistake is found in Daniel 5:23: He “lifted up [himself] against the Lord of heaven.” Now few of us are going to openly challenge God although some atheists have tried to match strength. However, there are more subtle ways in which we oppose Him.
First, we lift ourselves against the Lord by challenging His Word. Often in our readings, we run across commandments that are contrary to our lifestyles. It is human nature to justify ourselves but we must be careful not to vaunt our knowledge and understanding against God’s. Belshazzar was not necessarily shouting from the rooftops, ‘Take that, God!’ In fact, he completely ignored God’s existence! Instead, he had justified his actions and purposes as more befitting the times, his position, and reason than God’s Word!
How often have we considered Biblical commandments and advice to be ‘out of sync’ with our modern times? Isn’t such a supposition vaunting our own reasoning above God’s? Be realistic: God is omniscient. He didn’t write something in his word, NOT KNOWING how things would be in our society today. He isn’t standing up in heaven with white-out, wishing he could FIX his Word to fit our society! No, he wrote those things in the Bible for a reason and they still apply today!
We’ve become so smug in our idea of civilization that we think our ways, our government, our fashion, our culture is above any other …including that prescribed by God! But be assured, if America continues to flaunt God’s Word, it’s days are numbered!
Many today may say:
• Times have changed;
• I don’t feel personally convicted;
• That commandment was only for that civilization long ago;
• God will love me anyway because His name is applied to me;
But, according to scripture, God honors His Word above His name!
Therefore, you cannot be giving glory to God’s name without first recognizing and honoring through obedience, His Word!!
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8; Mark 7:6). Jesus is quoting an earlier rendition of this sentiment found in Isaiah 29:13. Apparently, being mentioned three times, it is a matter for concern.
How many people are worshipping God by singing and praising in church but they daily disobey his commandments, revealing a disrespect and a false heart toward God?
A second way in which we lift ourselves against God is by challenging the God-given authority structure. Consider 1 Corinthians 11:3, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” There is a clear hierarchy in the home, yet our society daily mocks such ‘old-fashioned’ ideas. Can we truly be blessed when we place our ideas above God’s design for the family?
Not only is there a hierarchy in the family unit, but there is, likewise, a design created by God for our churches. Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
While a church board is indeed important to ensure the proper functioning of the church within our governmental structure, it is important that we realize which servants of God the Lord has chosen to speak through. It is the leadership of the ministry which should be directing the major decisions of the church.
Unfortunately, our society today screams for ‘EQUALITY’ and for us to ‘QUESTION AUTHORITY,’ but it will come to destruction if, in doing so, you have called into question the very structure that God Almighty has put into place!
When we heed these maxims, we are defying God by saying His plan for His creation and His church is faulty…and somehow we esteem ourselves to think that we know better than God!
BUT, no matter what age, what culture, what nation… “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). (Oh, by the way, Jesus said that…)
When we disrespect the ministry, we disrespect God who placed the ministry in our lives. And when we as women decide to follow the cultural, sexual revolution rather than honoring our husbands, we are guilty of the same. It doesn’t mean that either ministers or husbands are given the freedom to be heavy-handed taskmasters, but it does mean that those offices deserve respect and reverence. They are our leadership.
As an example of what I am discussing, allow me to share an experience I had this past Friday. As any forward-thinking professional, I have made my resume available online. It is not that I am actively seeking another profession, but I always make myself available should something better be offered to me.
In response to my resume, I received a phone call from a company here in town. The man offered me an interview but when I began to ask about the details of the position, he was hesitant. I told him that before deciding, I would like to speak with my husband and I would get back with him. The man completely lost his temper, accusing me of being ‘stuck in the 50’s.’ He claimed that women today don’t have to consult their husbands or get approval before they change careers and that getting my husband’s advice showed that I was unprofessional.
I was utterly shocked by his response…but so was he by mine. I calmly replied that as my husband and I are a team, we consider all life-changing decisions together. I also mentioned that my husband is a minister and is the godly leadership in our home so I highly value his opinion in such matters. I told the man that I would not be making such a decision which would impact our home, our family, and our ministry without my husband—whether I told the employer about it or not—and that I felt sorry for him that his wife obviously did not afford him the same honor.
He was flabbergasted, to say the least. He then accused me of being too insecure to make a decision on my own. I proceeded to explain to him how a family works in God’s design; in fact, such a hierarchy offers protection to the woman if the husband indeed loves her. There have been some ventures that my husband did not support because it would be detrimental to my health, would increase my stress levels, and would ultimately affect our ministry or home life. Realizing his love for me and our life together, I have always listened.
Having explained, I thanked the man on the phone for his kind offer of an interview but explained that I was no longer interested in the position. Apparently, the man could not understand God’s design nor respect it in operation. Why would I want to work in an industry so confused and abrasive when confronted with a godly family?
Believe me, I am proud to be a woman. I love being a woman of God. In fact, I love it so much that I am uninterested in trying to be like a man….let that sink in. Our society claims equal rights yet only if women take on the roles, responsibilities, and even attributes of men. Why can’t we simply be satisfied, confident, and happy being the creature God made us to be?
Perhaps this is why scripture likens rebellion (defined as ‘the action or process of resisting authority, control, or convention’) to the sin of witchcraft…because the very act of rebellion against God’s Word and his design is an effort to change the nature of who God made us to be.
Witchcraft has for centuries sought to alter nature in one form or another. From changing ordinary materials to gold (early alchemy) to changing the hierarchy of gender, making the female witch more powerful than the warlock, witchcraft has sought to establish a polar opposite from God’s laws. How different are our stubborn ways from the craft? Or could our intentions—though we fail to see sorcery in them—be likened in nature to such practices?
I, for one, have learned that God’s ways are indeed not my ways…but His are right just the same. I may not always understand God’s decisions or his commands, but I can clearly see instances where I have been blessed for following in faith.
Unfortunately, Belshazzar—like many men and women today—exalted his own understanding above God’s design and God’s Word, leading to the demise of his kingdom, his family, and even his life.
But that isn’t the only way he misplaced the glory due to God….
