Whispering At 115 Decibels.

Near the end of this past Sunday's sermon (Lessons for a Holy People: Miriam), Pastor Sam made a passing comment about the similarity between the actions of Miriam and Aaron (Numbers 12) and those of a New Testament couple famous for their disobedience, Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). Both incidents centered around privately agreed-upon collusion that God chose to make very public.

In the case of Miriam and Aaron, both siblings were verbally reprimanded and Miriam (as instigator) was stricken with leprosy. Her illness was a direct consequence of her actions. Her disgrace served as a visible warning to the rest of the community, whose walk through the wilderness was stalled for a week while they waited for Miriam to serve out her 7-day term of separation from the camp. To quote Pastor Sam, "the whole community was stymied by this foolish action."

In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, both husband and wife were struck down by the Lord Himself. Their deaths were a direct consequence of their sinning against the Holy Spirit of God. As a result, though, the community grew in their fear of the Lord, and there was an increase in authentic conversions even as the persecution of the church was on the rise. It seems that the people of "the Way" were interested in aligning themselves with a God who was present and active.

In both cases, we are made well aware of the danger of coming into agreement with persons whose words and actions run counter to the desire of God. What does Scripture say? "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly" (see Psalm 1:1).

There is another couple in Scripture who provide a contrasting picture: Nabal and Abigail (First Samuel 25). When Nabal spoke negatively concerning the peaceful requests of God's chosen servant David, Abigail refused to agree with Nabal's error. Rather, she used her own financial means, instructed her own servants, and made her own efforts to repair the breach that Nabal had created. End result? Abigail succeeded, sort of... David was appeased, and Nabal was spared from David's sword, but Nabal still died at the hand of the Lord (see First Samuel 25:36-38).

What was then, still is now. In transitioning from the sermon to the altar call, our pastor shared a profound statement: "God specially regards agreement prayer." That is, God takes particular notice when mankind engages in collaborative efforts, whether or not He has been formally invited into the discussion. Given the lessons learned in Numbers 12, Acts 5, and First Samuel 25, we would do well to be very careful about who we agree with and what we agree for.

But wait, there's more! Let's add two more examples for reinforcement:

Remember Babel? (Genesis chapter 11)
Remember Pentecost? (Acts chapters 1 and 2)

Yes, Lord, You are free to show up.

We always live in Your sight.
We always speak in Your hearing.
Oh Lord, our Lord, be Lord of our thoughts, words, and deeds.