What Does God “Put Up” With?

Read: Acts 13:4-41

“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance.” (Acts 13:16-19)

Sometimes God “puts up with” his people. (v.18) This phrase makes me laugh. I think of the times in my life when I have taken matters into my own hands… where I thought I knew best… where I was bent on doing things my own way… these are the times that I think of God “putting up with me”. I am sure God has gently smiled and shook his head while graciously leading me through the “desert”. This does not mean that God’s love is diminished during this time… God does not “distance himself” from us during this time or “abandon” us. Nevertheless, the scriptures here paint a picture of God “putting up with (his people) in the wilderness” for 40 years.

Forty years is a long time. I am thankful that I have not logged 40 years of God “putting up with” me… at least I hope! (Ha!) God’s patience and love for his people is clear. I don’t think it is a stretch to say that no matter how long you have been wandering the “wilderness”, you have not exhausted God’s love for you nor his willingness to lead you out of the wilderness and into promised land. I think that is one of the shocking things we see here: This season of God “putting up with” his people is sandwiched by his saving them and his blessing them. God brings the out of this “wilderness” season by blessing the with a land and an inheritance. It seems like this is a pretty common rhythm for believers. We come to Christ (God saves us) and then after a season of trust and rescue we wander into a season of taking matters into our own hands. We “lean into our own understanding” or we even begin to drift back towards our old ways. This is a “wilderness” of sorts… our season of God enduring with us. How do these “wilderness” seasons end? What follows these seasons of “God putting up with” us? He brings us out once again into a land of blessing and inheritance. (v.19) More often than not, these seasons of trying to make it on our own… live by our own strength… go our own way… in the life of a Christ follower they are often followed by seasons of fullness and new ground with Christ. Why?

Sooner or later, we will come to the end of ourselves. These seasons of “putting up with” do not last forever. God loves us too much to allow that. God does not leave his people in the wilderness forever. Sooner or later our own strength runs out! Our own attempts at “righteousness” will run out. Our own attempts and providing life for ourselves will run out. And when we finally come to the end of ourselves… in these vulnerable and broken moments… the Lord is waiting for us. He does not lash out… he does not say “I told you so”… but rather he takes our hand, lifts us up, and then leads us into this “new land” he has conquered for us. This is a land that comes about by HIS strength. (cf. v.19)

Are we living in a way where God is “putting up with us”? Or are we surrendered to his leading us into a “new land”. Are we stuck with “leaning on our own understanding”? Have we been “saved” from our previous life of slavery by the Lord, but now have taken matters into our own hands and in doing so led ourselves into the wilderness? Is it about time for you to leave the wilderness? We will never exhaust the love, patience, and forgiveness of God… and yet we can live in a way where he is “putting up with us”. This way of living misses out on the richness of the inheritance that God has for us. Are you ready to watch God fight for you ( “And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan” ) and lead you into what HE has for you? Remember that the wilderness came about when the people of God saw the hurdles ahead of through purely human eyes… and they doubted God’s provision and power to continue to save them and bless them. May we not make the same mistake today! Love you guys. - JDP