Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
The Bible teaches us that there is indeed a proper place for argument with the Almighty in the life of the disciple of Christ. Let’s take a look and may you be encouraged to continue fighting the good fight of faith as you begin yet another week of walking with your Lord.
Some of the great saints in sacred Scripture can be found arguing with God if you will . . . and God allowed it for His glory and their good.
Consider Gideon. When God called him to lead the Israelites in battle against the mighty Midianite Army, Gideon argued with God. First, he argued from weakness as a clan and then from smallness in his father’s house. Next, Gideon argued for a sign to be sure it was the Lord who was speaking to him. Gideon set out a fleece of wool on the dry threshing floor and said if there was dew on the fleece alone, he would believe it was God who was sending him. When that happened, Gideon argued once again, asking this time for the fleece to be dry and dew on the ground all around it. Once again, God accommodates to Gideon’s arguing. Now fully convinced, God shrinks his army down from 32.000 men to only 300 and Gideon leads the Israelites in victory against Midian. Now please note this all-important biblical truth:
Almighty argument is allowed only to convince us . . . never to convince God!
Consider Moses at the burning bush when God confronted Him to go back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites from Pharaoh’s bondage. Moses had absolutely no interest in going back to Egypt, which he had fled 40 years earlier after he killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. First, Moses argues from his inadequacy to answer God’s call (just like Gideon). After God accommodates that argument, Moses anticipates a question from God’s people and argues from unbelief – saying the Israelites would never believe God sent him as their deliverer. After God accommodated that argument, Moses went on to argue from his inability to speak “eloquently.” After God accommodated that argument, notice what happens next:
But Moses said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses. Exodus 3:13-14
Argument with the Almighty is allowed . . . but there is indeed a limit. God allows our argument only to the point of clearly confirming our call. Once confirmed by God, we then must answer the call . . . not argue any longer against it. Like Gideon and Moses, it is natural to argue with the Almighty against His call. Do you know why? Because God never calls us to anything that does not require God’s strength to get it done. And there lies the rub. We fear having to trust and depend solely upon God, just like Gideon and Moses. But that is the only way God works with His people. God always calls us to do what we could never do on our own and in our own strength so that we, and all those around us, will know that it was God and not us who was responsible for the victory.
So, let me ask you this question: “Have you been arguing with God about something He has been calling you to do?” Perhaps it is time to walk by faith and not by sight and see what marvelous and mighty things God has called you to do for His glory and the expansion of His Kingdom. Oh, by the way, if you go to the passage for today’s verse, you will find these words – “IMMEDIATELY THEY FOLLOWED HIM!”
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 