Knowing God's Mind

How important it is to seek God's direction concerning our decisions!  This morning I read a portion in Leviticus that spoke of a man in a fight who was heard blaspheming the name of God with a curse.  Unsure of the appropriate response, the witnesses brought the man to Moses.  Leviticus 24:12 said, "Then they put him in custody, that the mind of the LORD might be shown to them."  As an aside, this may be one the only examples of incarceration in the Old Testament under the Law, and for a reason foreign to us!  The Law was all about restitution, not incarceration.  I love the fact the man was put in a ward not for punishment or in the hope of rehabilitation:  he was placed in custody so Moses and the leaders of Israel might seek the mind of God concerning this circumstance.  Because Moses was not entirely sure of how to proceed in this matter, he sought the mind of God through prayer.  How different would the justice systems look if this was the response of every judge, solicitor, and jury!  After God rendered His righteous judgment, Moses swiftly carried out His command.

In our lives we continually face complex situations and circumstances.  Sometimes it is difficult to know the correct course of action according to God's righteous judgments.  We need the Holy Spirit to guide us so we might walk in righteousness, and God has provided His indwelling presence for every believer.  We could not know sin except by the Law, nor could we know righteousness without the wisdom which springs from God alone.  Have you ever made a decision you later regretted?  Our negligence to seek the mind of Christ before we speak or act is always the most regrettable oversight.  It is natural for us to walk by sight, not by faith.  Instead of reacting to our circumstances, this passage teaches us to take even our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ so we might respond obediently to wisdom revealed from above. 

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 states, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- ³¹ that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."  If we have been born again through repentance and faith in Christ by the Gospel, then Christ has become for us wisdom.  Through the Holy Spirit, we are led to walk in the way which fully pleases God.  When we seek God for direction and walk according to His guidance, we need not fear.  Even when we speak or act presumptuously, God is able to redeem our foolish mistakes for our good and His glory.  This does not make our hearts swell with pride, but causes us to praise and glorify the God who is good and given such wonderful gifts to sinful men.  Who we are and all we have is only by His grace.  God does not stumble over the minutiae that bogs us down, but lifts us above it effortlessly.

Nothing we face is unknown or uncertain to Him, for He has seen it afar off.  1 Corinthians 2:16 says, "For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ." Praise God for His marvelous mind, and that it can be known by us!  Since we have been united with Christ, may we walk in unison with Him!