Misjudging God

 When the Israelites left Egypt for the Promised Land, they willingly gave up slavery for freedom. However, they failed to realize how difficult and demanding freedom would be. They misjudged what was required to live by faith in the God who had demonstrated his awesome power against the Egyptians.

They also misjudged God’s tolerance for their disobedience and their bent toward worshiping idols like the golden calf they had constructed while Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. Each of us is capable of constructing a golden calf in one form or another, like beauty, clothes, a house, or an automobile.

Misjudgments will happen, but as you recognize your lapse in judgment, there is hope for new beginnings. Most misjudgments cannot be retracted, yet God gives you courage to face the consequences and provides opportunities for wiser choices. As you realize the extent of God’s grace, you should feel encouraged to love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

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[O Lord,] when my thoughts were bitter and my feelings were hurt, I was as stupid as an animal; I did not understand you. Yet, I always stay close to you, and you hold me aby the hand. You guide me with your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor.

~Psalm 73:21-24 Good News Bible

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Errors in Judgment? Corrections Are Possible

Whenever a new beginning is embarked upon, fine-tuning objectives are often required to safeguard success. While it's impossible to predict every obstacle that interferes with reaching an objective, being prepared can prevent setbacks or even failure. Errors in judgment will at some point have to be faced.

When Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the people waiting for him grew restless and persuaded Aaron, Moses' brother, to make a golden calf for them to worship. They wanted a god with a face to take the place of the invisible God who had delivered them from Egyptian slavery.

The Israelites discovered that faulty judgments can be costly, but if seen as a learning experience, they can be a guide for future decisions. While some judgment calls cannot be revoked, corrections are possible with God’s help and guidance. His mercy and grace are greater than all your sin. God is quick to forgive when you turn to him and away from sin.  

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If you want to know what God wants to know, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it.  

~James 1:5 The Living Bible

 But if we freely admit that we have sinned, we find him reliable and just – he forgives our sins and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.

~1 John 1:9 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.