The Presumptuous Prophet

The Book of Deuteronomy is full of warnings and exhortations and often addresses the ministry of the prophet. The prophet's credibility was often at issue and it appears that the prophets that missed the mark more often than not were those whom presumed upon the Lord.
The Lord would promise to raise up a prophet to speak on his behalf and so it was imperative that the prophet hear clearly from the Lord before speaking.

Deuteronomy 18:22

If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

To be presumptuous is to take liberties without permission. I would have to say that this has been the posture of most of the churches that I have encountered. I also have to admit that I have played this silly game myself. Can you imagine the gamut of ministry that exists that is purely self-initiated and under the false presumption that God will be pleased with all that we initiate in His name. We have built mega- economic empires in His name. We have invented our own revivals. We are desperate to manufacture the things of God that we read about in the scripture.
I empathize with the desire to see these things happen but we cannot possibly manufacture the things that only God can do.

I remember in the early 70's when the Holy Spirit began to manifest Himself at different places in the USA. There was an ecumenical movement of huge influence born right here in Pittsburgh. In fact, it started in my back yard at a Catholic convent in Gibsonia. A group of nun's were seeking the Lord in prayer and the Holy Spirit came upon them in a mighty way and began to fan the flames of revival throughout the tri-state area. I was able to participate in this awakening by the Spirit. We were trying to keep up with what the Spirit was doing throughout the area. We weren't trying to manufacture anything. It was something to behold.

I've seen what God can do and I've seen what we attempt to do without Him. One is alive and exciting and the other is all work and very religious. A lifeless effort and lack of real spiritual power is what our presumptuous posturing produces. I know that God has blessed some of our effort but that is the grace that He extends to us anyway. We do the same when our kids presume upon us.

What do we need to do? We need to stop and say, "Lord, we do not know what you want". "We do not know what we are doing."" We have been arrogant and been doing our own thing way too long.

We don't want to be like the presumptuous prophet who was never taken seriously. We all want a real vital life giving relationship with the almighty God. The first step may to be to stop presuming that He's into what we are doing on His behalf and admitting our need to start afresh with Him.