We are Resistant to Work

Scripture: Isaiah 48:4

“Because I know that you are obstinate, And your neck is an iron sinew And your forehead bronze,

Insights: Yesterday we learned God is always at work.  Today, however, we learn we as people are often resistant to work.  It is probably safe to say every generation before a new generation does not think the generation coming into being works as well as they did.  In other words, the Builder generation did not think the Silent generation worked as well as they did.  The Silent generation did not think the Boomers worked as well as they did.  The Boomers did not think the Gen Xers  worked as well as they do and finally the Gen Xers don’t think the Millennials work as well as they do.  Yet, when I write “we as a people are often resistant to work” I am not talking about work ethic in the context of generational effectiveness.  I am really talking about submission to the Father.  I am talking about us seeing Him at work and joining Him in His mission.  We are all too often willing to say, “Let the other guy do it” as we sit back and relax and remain comfortable and safe.  This reluctance to work is a result of sin entering the world.  As a result, we are like today’s verse.  We are all too often obstinate, stiff-necked (neck is an iron sinew), and hard-headed (forehead of bronze).  Let me muddy the waters a little bit.  Most of the time, we don’t recognize ourselves as being this type of person.  We are quick to point it out in others, but we are slow to recognize our sinfulness.  Beloved, the secret to not suffer from this problem is to be so closely connected and serving the Lord we are not able to recognize the flaws of others.  If we are so busy serving the Lord, He becomes our entire focus.  Let us quickly repent of our laziness and let us run even more quickly to Jesus.  Let us serve Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.  May our partnered lives with Him bring Him great glory.  Let us work with Him.

Questions:

1. Would you classify yourself as a stiff-necked individual?

2. Would others possibly classify you as a stiff-necked individual?

Prayer: Father, I am all too often resistant to change and especially change initiated by You.  Forgive me for when I have been stiff-necked and help me to be more pliable in Your hands.  Amen.