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Misusing God

I don't want to give a whole history lesson here, but God's people in the Old Testament were somewhat messed up. You might think it would have been different between the transitioning of two of their greatest kings, David and Solomon. But this family, and the surrounding characters, was almost like watching Jerry Springer's All-Stars.

For instance, at the same time David was anointing Solomon to become king (in 1 Kings 1), another of David's sons, Adonijah, was throwing himself a party to be king. When Adonijah heard that Solomon was anointed in his place, he instantly feared for his life. So he went and grabbed the horns of the Altar of God. After talking with Solomon, Adonijah goes homes with his head attached.

At least until 1 Kings 2. Here Solomon finds just cause to have Adonijah killed, along with some other less-than-faithful officials. This is when Joab, an army commander who was less-than-faithful himself, heard that there was some house cleaning going on. So he decides to go grab the horns of this Altar as well. This doesn't work out so well as he is killed right there.

Two different guys, both doing wrong things to men, and both hoping that God would save them from the consequences. Do we make the same mistake of trying to use God to protect us when we do wrong to one another? I think we do.

For example, when we confront others in unloving ways, and insist on our right to do so, that is grabbing on to the horns of the Altar. When we use God’s Word to try to conform others to our home-grown standard of living, that is us hiding behind the curtain of the Holiest Place. When we refuse compromise with our brother because we refuse to see how God could work that way, we are closing our eyes to the difficulty we are creating.

I believe we should run to God and depend on Him. But when we do so irresponsibly, we create for ourselves a false sense of security. In the same way that God should not be used as a weapon against others, He should not be used as a wall of defense that keeps us unaccountable to our brothers and sisters.

Be sure when you grab and hold on to God, it is with one hand. That way you can hold the hand of your brother with your free hand.
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