Jesus turned and said to
Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have
in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matt. 16.23
Abraham argued with God (Gen.
18.16-33) and was not rebuffed. Moses also argued with God, and with a measure
of success (Exod. 32.9-14). But Peter had no such favour.
If I read about Peter without
reference to the other two, I am likely to conclude that I should never
question nor argue with God. Yet when I remember the challenges that Abraham
and Moses presented to the Almighty I am led more to consider that I need to discern
what I may, or may not, bring to God in question or debate.
I see a clear guide in Jesus’ words
to Peter: “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of
men.”
When I think, even vaguely, of challenging
God, I need to pay particular concern to what my intention is. Abraham was
focussed on preserving any righteous persons that might have been in Sodom. This
was certainly a Godly aim! Moses was concerned both for the protection of God’s
chosen people and also for God’s “reputation”. Again, Godly concerns! Peter,
however, seemed to respond in typical feisty but unthinking manner. He could
even have been thinking of his own loss at the things Jesus was foretelling.
And herein lies the key – will my challenge be
beneficial to God’s work or to human satisfaction? May I have the wisdom to
discern!
Holy Lord,
I don’t know that I would have the courage to challenge You on any score.
But, if I am ever tempted, may I have the wisdom to distinguish when my
motivation is God-warranted as against when it might be human-biased! May I
respond more in the mindset of Abraham and Moses rather than as Peter did in
this present instance.
I pray for a curb
on impetuousness, but a
release of true Godly freedom.
My book “God Talk” is available through major
Internet booksellers.
A taste of the book's content can be seen in
the You Tube clip (Search: Peter Francis - "God Talk").
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