God often gets blamed for our Actions

Psalm 80:1-7

“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock.  You, who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.   Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us!   Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!  O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?  You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.  You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.   Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!”

Have you ever given thought to why God puts up with us, and I’m not referring to the pagan’s, those who worship the little gods of this world?  I'm talking about those who claim they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and will state they are His followers.

Many who make such claims are no different than the Chosen People of God, the Jews, we read about in Psalm 80:1-7.  When they referred to God as Shepherd of Israel, they were stating His leadership and authority over them, and their desire to have Him rescue them from their neighbors.  

Have you noticed how often God gets blamed for our actions, in verse six they are putting the blame on God for quarreling with their neighbors?  Could it be we want it our way, on our terms, and expect our God who is Holy to sit and say, aren’t they cute little sinners?  

That’s not part of His character, nor should anyone who has experienced His grace desire Him to allow His children to stay under the restraint of sin.  Could it be we have forgotten, this life on Planet Earth is not about you, it is about God?  

One reason I carry a billfold is to keep my driver's license and insurance papers, in case I am in an accident they will know who I am and that I can pay for what they need to do at the hospital.  Your identity is very important, but I’m fearful that many in the church today have no understanding of their identity in Christ.  If we are in Christ then He is in us, we have been forgiven, we have a new life and His nature has become our nature and His life our life.  My teacher Bill Gillham taught this concept:  “God accepts you based upon what you have done with Christ.  If you base acceptance upon anything other than Christ, you have a higher standard than God.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice