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| Harsha K R (CC) |
Dear Mr. Happy Go Lucky:
I am so thankful God has blessed you in innumerable ways, both materially and emotionally.
Our Lord is gracious and loving. He is the ultimate provider—just as he spared Isaac from the knife, providing instead a ram for sacrifice (Gen. 22). Likewise Jesus reminded his audience not to worry about life, what they would eat or wear, because as God provides for a raven so He would provide for them.
God of course made the ultimate provision for you and me when He sent His son up Calvary’s hill, this time not sparing the son from the Roman's spear. And in that sacrifice and subsequent resurrection we have access to the Kingdom and to be called sons and daughters of God. Amen! It is on this that our hope rests.
You and I have access to every pleasure and comfort imaginable—both godly and ungodly—received by equal parts luck (if such a thing exists), hard work, and providence. You have a lovely house with three bedrooms and two (two!) full baths. You have reliable access to hot water, and probably a pantry filled with scrumptious food. (I spied that can of Pringles last time I was over.) :) And your baby! What an amazing testament to God’s love.
God truly has blessed us both, but I worry that we are losing sight of those blessings. I’m not simply speaking of a lack of gratitude, but I wonder if we have strayed from God a little? I wonder how often dive into the Bible or say a prayer to God? Perhaps things are going so well, we think we don’t need Him anymore.
Please don’t read this an indictment against you, but rather a plea. I am in no place to judge, being almost daily guilty of taking for granted the love, freedom, peace, and wealth endowed upon me by my Creator. Instead of building up my relationship with Him, I find myself turning to Netflix, obsessing about my body, and (ironically) eating way too much queso.
And yet, when tough times come I am back on my knees, pleading with God to take away my pain and sorrow.
This thought came to my attention while reading the book of Judges a few days ago. I’m not sure if you’ve read the book lately, but in it the author describes some seriously dark times for Israel. There’s this pattern of the people turning away from God. After the Exodus and claiming of the Promised Land, the Hebrews were on top of the world. They had peace, they had a home. They had milk. They had honey. Now that they had everything they needed, they no longer needed God, right? They may not have said so out loud, but that’s how they behaved.
They set up false idols for worship. They ignored the precepts God gave Moses at Sinai. Then inevitably some foreign enemies would threaten their land, and the people would plead with God for salvation. But how did they behave when times were good? Like the one true God didn’t even exist. Finally, in the tenth chapter, God has some tough words for Israel. Here’s what He said:
Just like God saved Israel from Egypt, He delivered us likewise from sin and the punishment therein. But my fear is that you and I will be like Israel in the book of Judges, forsaking God when times are good and crawling back to him when things are bad. Instead, may we cleave to Him at all times, discarding any hint of such a dysfunctional relationship and ever strengthening our bond to Him by any means possible.
To do it, I think we’re going to need intentionality and prayer. Lots and lots of prayer. I’ll pray for you if you promise to pray for me.
And if you need any assistance developing a regular habit of quiet time with God, I put together a little guide of tips I’ve learned along the way that might help you out. Just type in your email address below, click on the button, and I’ll send it your way.
I am so thankful God has blessed you in innumerable ways, both materially and emotionally.
Our Lord is gracious and loving. He is the ultimate provider—just as he spared Isaac from the knife, providing instead a ram for sacrifice (Gen. 22). Likewise Jesus reminded his audience not to worry about life, what they would eat or wear, because as God provides for a raven so He would provide for them.
God of course made the ultimate provision for you and me when He sent His son up Calvary’s hill, this time not sparing the son from the Roman's spear. And in that sacrifice and subsequent resurrection we have access to the Kingdom and to be called sons and daughters of God. Amen! It is on this that our hope rests.
You and I have access to every pleasure and comfort imaginable—both godly and ungodly—received by equal parts luck (if such a thing exists), hard work, and providence. You have a lovely house with three bedrooms and two (two!) full baths. You have reliable access to hot water, and probably a pantry filled with scrumptious food. (I spied that can of Pringles last time I was over.) :) And your baby! What an amazing testament to God’s love.
God truly has blessed us both, but I worry that we are losing sight of those blessings. I’m not simply speaking of a lack of gratitude, but I wonder if we have strayed from God a little? I wonder how often dive into the Bible or say a prayer to God? Perhaps things are going so well, we think we don’t need Him anymore.
Please don’t read this an indictment against you, but rather a plea. I am in no place to judge, being almost daily guilty of taking for granted the love, freedom, peace, and wealth endowed upon me by my Creator. Instead of building up my relationship with Him, I find myself turning to Netflix, obsessing about my body, and (ironically) eating way too much queso.
And yet, when tough times come I am back on my knees, pleading with God to take away my pain and sorrow.
This thought came to my attention while reading the book of Judges a few days ago. I’m not sure if you’ve read the book lately, but in it the author describes some seriously dark times for Israel. There’s this pattern of the people turning away from God. After the Exodus and claiming of the Promised Land, the Hebrews were on top of the world. They had peace, they had a home. They had milk. They had honey. Now that they had everything they needed, they no longer needed God, right? They may not have said so out loud, but that’s how they behaved.
They set up false idols for worship. They ignored the precepts God gave Moses at Sinai. Then inevitably some foreign enemies would threaten their land, and the people would plead with God for salvation. But how did they behave when times were good? Like the one true God didn’t even exist. Finally, in the tenth chapter, God has some tough words for Israel. Here’s what He said:
Did I not save you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the Ammonites and from the Philistines? The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, and you cried out to me, and I saved you out of their hand. Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress. (Judges 10:11-14, ESV)
Just like God saved Israel from Egypt, He delivered us likewise from sin and the punishment therein. But my fear is that you and I will be like Israel in the book of Judges, forsaking God when times are good and crawling back to him when things are bad. Instead, may we cleave to Him at all times, discarding any hint of such a dysfunctional relationship and ever strengthening our bond to Him by any means possible.
To do it, I think we’re going to need intentionality and prayer. Lots and lots of prayer. I’ll pray for you if you promise to pray for me.
And if you need any assistance developing a regular habit of quiet time with God, I put together a little guide of tips I’ve learned along the way that might help you out. Just type in your email address below, click on the button, and I’ll send it your way.
Godspeed,
Andrew
Andrew
So insightful, Andrew! The cycle in Judges took place because they didn't guard themselves against that apathy you talk about. Thank you for pointing out that we need to be intentional in our walk. I'm enjoying reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alyce-Kay! I think it's so easy for us to get comfortable where we are and take God for granted. Call it the problem of pleasure.
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