Pam Padgett - teacher
Psalm 18:43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; ...
Those who live after the flesh strive to "out do" one another (a work of
the flesh). And they strive after things which cannot really satisfy
and which are temporary and without lasting value.
But when we are led by the Holy Spirit we are led in another way, a way of peace.
Last summer a neighbor told me of meetings that were starting to be held
in our community to discuss the land that had once been a golf course
around which this community was built. The golf course is now closed
and the land up for sale. There was fear that the land would be sold to
developers and many houses would be built on what is now open land.
The purpose of these meetings was to plan for the future, preparing for
what to do if a developer buys the property.
Initially my flesh was stirred up about all of this. But then I turned
to God and was given two things which changed how I saw all of this and
kept me from getting involved in the meetings.
The first thing I was given was ... But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the
morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matt. 6:33-34) Rather
than getting involved in planning for what may happen in the future, I
am to deal with what I am led by the Holy Spirit to do today.
The people at these meetings don't know what the future holds nor what I need. But God
knows what will happen in the future and provides everything I need now
and in the future as I follow Him by His Spirit.
The second thing I was given is the concept that people try to preserve
the way things are now as much as possible. But God has told us that
all these things we see now are
temporary and will be destroyed at the end of the world. While we're on
this earth, we are to live in a godly way, in peace, without spot, and blameless.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the
night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and
the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works
that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these
things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein
the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall
melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Considering these things, I decided not to get involved in the meetings.
Later a neighbor mentioned having gone to one of these meetings and how
various people at the meeting wanted
their ideas to be heard and followed. Strife and divisions were
already becoming apparent. I was very grateful that God led me to go
another way, a way of trusting in HIM and of peace, and delivered me from the strivings of the people.