presumption Archives – Sonshine's Journal

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

“True Trust & True Wisdom.”

If you think you are wise, check your words

Job 10 to 13 Job says I know I am not wicked! But, I do know, my words are full of bitterness. The “know-it-all” Zophar is not so sure about Job’s assessment. First, he denigrates Job by saying; if you are so wise, you must know that behind this circumstance, and your bitter words that God would intervene if you were innocent! You must be in sin! Zophar counsels Job to relinquish his pride and seek God’s face for forgiveness. Stopping right there, we gasp 🙁 at Zophar’s presumption, but how often do we respond just like Zophar, claiming that God has forgiven only some of another’s sins?

But, Job is assured that this has not happened because of his sin; and Zophar is merely mocking Job. Job knows deep down inside, he is innocent in God’s eyes! He notes that God is orchestrating it for His purposes alone even if he doesn’t understand it! Quoting the same principle from the NT; “all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” [Romans 8:28] Job reiterates in strong language that he will continue to trust God no matter what comes his way. That is true trust and true wisdom. What God determines will come to pass. One ought to pray: “keep me back from presumptive sins.” [Ps 19:13]

There are two life principles here: (1) Don’t presume you understand God’s ways in light of what others are facing. [Deut 29:29] (2) Trust God even in hard times.

February 9, 2019

“I’ll Run the Risk”

What does God think about presumption?

Scripture: Numbers 15 – 17

There is a story told about a young man who inherited an estate from an uncle. He was exhorted to seek Christ and said, I will do as soon as I pay off the debts of the estate. “Young man,” said the pastor, “beware: you may never see that day: whilst you are gaining the world you may lose your soul.” The young heir said, “I’ll run the risk.” He went into the woods and was engaged in felling a tree when a falling limb caused his instant death within a few hours of his bold presumption.”

That is the scene we find in these chapters. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram assumed that challenging the leadership of Moses would gain them the leadership they coveted. Like one person told me some time ago when confronted with his sin; “God will understand.” God did understand but not to his liking for God stripped him of his family and position. Be sure your sin will find you out. [Num 32:23]

Like the young man in the story, these three said: “we’ll run the risk.” Moses warning fell on deaf ears and in the end, all three were swallowed up by the earth as evidence they had presumed wrongly that Moses was not God’s chosen leader. God is serious about presuming wrongly. Perhaps that is one reason David prayed earnestly and we should as well: “Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I will be blameless and I shall be acquitted of great transgression.”[Ps 19:13]

ps 19 aaron-burden2a-

[story courtesy of biblehub.com]

January 30, 2019

Strange Fire Consequences

aaron-burden-psalm 19 lev 10 Leviticus 10 Do you excuse your or other’s sin? How does God feel about that when you do? The evidence is pretty clear. King Saul was told to wait for Samuel but did not. Cain knew the right sacrifice was a lamb but presumed a gift of vegetables was ok. Ananias and Sapphira presumed a white lie was ok. A “friend” was caught in adultery and when chastised said, “God will understand.”

Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, are like those examples. They presumed that taking a short cut was ok. They took their fire pan, put fire into it; then set incense into it and went in to and presented strange fire before the Lord—“which he had NOT commanded them to do.” Immediately, fire went out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them so that they died before the Lord.”

Yes God understood all of those people. He understood that each presumed He would overlook their sin but learned all too late that the consequences for presuming is deadly.

Whereas we are quick to excuse sin, God does not. Take heed to King David’s words: “keep back Your servant from presumptuous or flagrant sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless,”[Ps 19:13]