March 6
Read: Philippians 3
There are two references in Paul's epistles to people whose "god is their bellies". One of them is here in Philippians 3:19 and the other in Romans 16:18, where the Bible records, "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Neither reference is complimentary toward the parties being discussed. In Philippians, they are described as "enemies of the cross of Christ, having destruction as their end, who glory in their shame, and who mind earthly things."
It's not too hard to find contemporary parallels. Every church has their share of the unregenerate and carnal. They baffle born-again believers by their apparent obstinate refusal to allow the Word and the Spirit to make any impact on their lives. They may be in the church every time the door is open, but you really have to wonder why they bother. Every word our of their mouths, every attitude they evince is further evidence of selfishness and self-centeredness. Its not hard for anyone indwelt by the Spirit of God to see the very same things that Paul saw, that these are indeed the enemies of the cross of Christ, worshippers of their own bellies.
But if that's all we see here we have missed something important. Look at Paul's attitude. In verse 18 he says of these, "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping..." Although Paul was quick to warn the Philippian believers concerning these folks, he shed tears as he did it. Paul was grieved over the condition of these people, even though he recognized them as serious problems for true believers. He was saddened to the point of weeping. I can see him sobbing as he prays over them, asking God again and again how they could remain in this condition.
Beloved, is this our attitude toward those whose "god is their bellies"? Are we grieved by the hardness of their hearts and burdened because of their ultimate end? Are we lifting them up to God, pleading with Him to do a work in their hearts only He can do? Or are we harsh, hard and judgmental, having given them up to the enemy?
Jude 22-23 describes a special group of believers with these words, "And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." Let's determine we will be part of that group.
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
Showing posts with label worldly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worldly. Show all posts
The Danger of Affluence
March 3
Read: Deuteronomy 31:14-30
A church we once attended had a special prayer group that prayed during the morning service. There were typically three persons assigned at a time. They went into a basement room during the service and prayed for God’s blessings and power on the preaching, the singing, the praying and the entire service. One morning when my wife and I had a turn in the closet, we were accompanied by a businessman who was a member of the church. The conversation wandered onto investments and savings, and the businessman was lamenting a significant loss in recent months. After he spoke of it, he looked at us and said, as if he were just thinking of it, “Oh, but you guys live by faith.”
I understood what he meant. He was simply saying that as supported missionaries, we probably didn’t or couldn’t rely on a monthly dividend check to get us through. And he was right. We were accustomed to going to God for our needs and seeing his blessings upon our lives. Certainly he had enough money in the bank that he never had such concerns.
But the Bible says a number of times, “The just shall live by faith.” That doesn’t mean we should all take a vow of poverty, but it does mean we should be looking to God as the supplier of our needs and not our bank accounts or our employer or especially the state. The danger in having too much is that we cease to see God as the source of everything and start to rely on ourselves or on someone else.
Moses, in Deuteronomy 31:20, predicted what would happen to the Israelites when they got into a land of plenty. “For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.” He essentially says when they achieve affluence, they will forget me. What was true of the Israelites has been true of every civilization God has chosen to bless. Western Europe, blessed of God and affluent, has reached a point where they rely on themselves. Respect and love for God is nearly dead in those countries, and evangelizing in them, according to one well--known preacher, is like planting okra on concrete. Unfortunately we seem to have forgotten the penalty for apostasy is judgment (see Judges, entire book; and consider the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities).
Trying to keep your balance when everyone else is losing his can be quite a challenge. I suggest we consider carefully the words of the wise man in Proverbs, who wrote in chapter 30:8-9, “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
Read: Deuteronomy 31:14-30
A church we once attended had a special prayer group that prayed during the morning service. There were typically three persons assigned at a time. They went into a basement room during the service and prayed for God’s blessings and power on the preaching, the singing, the praying and the entire service. One morning when my wife and I had a turn in the closet, we were accompanied by a businessman who was a member of the church. The conversation wandered onto investments and savings, and the businessman was lamenting a significant loss in recent months. After he spoke of it, he looked at us and said, as if he were just thinking of it, “Oh, but you guys live by faith.”
I understood what he meant. He was simply saying that as supported missionaries, we probably didn’t or couldn’t rely on a monthly dividend check to get us through. And he was right. We were accustomed to going to God for our needs and seeing his blessings upon our lives. Certainly he had enough money in the bank that he never had such concerns.
But the Bible says a number of times, “The just shall live by faith.” That doesn’t mean we should all take a vow of poverty, but it does mean we should be looking to God as the supplier of our needs and not our bank accounts or our employer or especially the state. The danger in having too much is that we cease to see God as the source of everything and start to rely on ourselves or on someone else.
Moses, in Deuteronomy 31:20, predicted what would happen to the Israelites when they got into a land of plenty. “For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.” He essentially says when they achieve affluence, they will forget me. What was true of the Israelites has been true of every civilization God has chosen to bless. Western Europe, blessed of God and affluent, has reached a point where they rely on themselves. Respect and love for God is nearly dead in those countries, and evangelizing in them, according to one well--known preacher, is like planting okra on concrete. Unfortunately we seem to have forgotten the penalty for apostasy is judgment (see Judges, entire book; and consider the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities).
Trying to keep your balance when everyone else is losing his can be quite a challenge. I suggest we consider carefully the words of the wise man in Proverbs, who wrote in chapter 30:8-9, “Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
No Provision
February 19
Read: Romans 13:1-14
The first seven verses of Romans 13 summarize the believer’s relationship to civil authority. Established after the flood, the civil authorities are the direct representatives of God on earth and we are to obey them. Verses 8-10 remind us of our responsibility to love our neighbors. Verses 11 and 12 are a call to diligence and in verses 13 and 14 we are reminded to keep our walk in Christ at a high standard. The very last half of the last verse of the chapter states, “and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”
If you’re not paying close attention in your reading, you might pass by this verse without gaining the full import of its teaching. The Word of God here is giving us one of the keys to victorious Christian living, apart from which our lives can become extremely frustrating. We are warned not to make provision for the flesh.
The flesh is that part of us that places its own needs and desires ahead of everything else. It is the combination of all the physical appetites that when kept in proper balance are necessary for life and happiness. When they get out of balance, when we begin to live for the fulfillment of those fleshly desires, our spirit is subdued and we live carnal lives.
I have noticed in my own life that as quickly as I get one element of the flesh properly disciplined, there is another part ready to raise its ugly head in a demand for satisfaction. I concentrate on the second, and the first seems to wiggle loose. This is the same conflict that Paul described in Romans 7 when he wrote, “for I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” It’s a conflict we all deal with, and victory over the flesh tends to come in spurts, especially for the new or less mature believer.
This verse in Romans 13, though, can provide immeasurable help in the battle. It says simply, “make no provision for the flesh.” That is, intentionally and consistently separate yourself from those things that encourage you to lose control. As a simple example, take someone who struggles with overeating. Knowing his own weakness, it is foolish for him to stash chocolate in his desk drawer. He may think he can control his desires, but he has prepared himself to fail. How much wiser would he be to clean out the cupboard, preserving only those things that are healthy, low-calorie and useful to his campaign to subdue the flesh?
There are so many things that fall into this category. We know we struggle with the flesh in a certain area, then we set ourselves up for failure. Take a person who tends to waste time with computer games. How many does he keep a keystroke away? How about a person who has a pornography problem who refuses to put a monitor or filter on his computer? It’s a little hard to believe someone is really serious about living the victorious Christian life when they continuously coddle the enemy.
Today, let’s consider our own weaknesses, and determine where we have made “provision for the flesh”. Let’s clean out our spiritual closets and let God give us the victorious and abundant life He desires for each of us.
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
“I will set no wicked thing before my eyes” - Psalm 101:3
Read: Romans 13:1-14
The first seven verses of Romans 13 summarize the believer’s relationship to civil authority. Established after the flood, the civil authorities are the direct representatives of God on earth and we are to obey them. Verses 8-10 remind us of our responsibility to love our neighbors. Verses 11 and 12 are a call to diligence and in verses 13 and 14 we are reminded to keep our walk in Christ at a high standard. The very last half of the last verse of the chapter states, “and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”
If you’re not paying close attention in your reading, you might pass by this verse without gaining the full import of its teaching. The Word of God here is giving us one of the keys to victorious Christian living, apart from which our lives can become extremely frustrating. We are warned not to make provision for the flesh.
The flesh is that part of us that places its own needs and desires ahead of everything else. It is the combination of all the physical appetites that when kept in proper balance are necessary for life and happiness. When they get out of balance, when we begin to live for the fulfillment of those fleshly desires, our spirit is subdued and we live carnal lives.
I have noticed in my own life that as quickly as I get one element of the flesh properly disciplined, there is another part ready to raise its ugly head in a demand for satisfaction. I concentrate on the second, and the first seems to wiggle loose. This is the same conflict that Paul described in Romans 7 when he wrote, “for I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” It’s a conflict we all deal with, and victory over the flesh tends to come in spurts, especially for the new or less mature believer.
This verse in Romans 13, though, can provide immeasurable help in the battle. It says simply, “make no provision for the flesh.” That is, intentionally and consistently separate yourself from those things that encourage you to lose control. As a simple example, take someone who struggles with overeating. Knowing his own weakness, it is foolish for him to stash chocolate in his desk drawer. He may think he can control his desires, but he has prepared himself to fail. How much wiser would he be to clean out the cupboard, preserving only those things that are healthy, low-calorie and useful to his campaign to subdue the flesh?
There are so many things that fall into this category. We know we struggle with the flesh in a certain area, then we set ourselves up for failure. Take a person who tends to waste time with computer games. How many does he keep a keystroke away? How about a person who has a pornography problem who refuses to put a monitor or filter on his computer? It’s a little hard to believe someone is really serious about living the victorious Christian life when they continuously coddle the enemy.
Today, let’s consider our own weaknesses, and determine where we have made “provision for the flesh”. Let’s clean out our spiritual closets and let God give us the victorious and abundant life He desires for each of us.
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
“I will set no wicked thing before my eyes” - Psalm 101:3
Final Answer
February 17
Read: Numbers 22
Numbers 22 tells the well-known story of Balaam and the talking donkey. In it, Balaam is called by the Moabite king Balak to come and curse Israel. A group of noblemen was sent to the prophet offering reward and honor if he would come and do as the king asked.
Balaam had enough discernment to seek God’s counsel in the matter, and in verse 12 we see God’s answer, “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.”
That should have been the end of the matter. But Balak, desperately wanting some advantage over Israel, elected to try again. He sent more honorable noblemen and offered very great honor if Balaam would curse Israel. And here Balaam makes his mistake. In verse 19, in effect, he comes and asks God, “Is that your final answer?”
God allowed Balaam to go and bless Israel, but He showed his displeasure with Balaam (v. 22) and sent the angel of the Lord to withstand him in the way. After the donkey spoke and Balaam understood the situation, he knew better than to disobey God again. The nation of Israel was blessed; Balak expressed his displeasure with Balaam and sent him home.
Balaam’s name comes up again in Scripture later. Numbers 31:8, describing Israel’s conquest of the Midianites, concludes with this passage: “Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.” Balaam the prophet of Jehovah ultimately fell because of his failure to heed the clear direction of God. He wouldn’t take God’s word as final.
In Proverbs 20:25, the Bible tells us: “It is a snare unto a man….after vows to make inquiry.” It is a warning not to second guess God’s decisions and directions. The New Testament version is found in Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Once God has spoken, He doesn’t change His mind. Let us be careful not to dig up in doubt that which we buried in faith.
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
Read: Numbers 22
Numbers 22 tells the well-known story of Balaam and the talking donkey. In it, Balaam is called by the Moabite king Balak to come and curse Israel. A group of noblemen was sent to the prophet offering reward and honor if he would come and do as the king asked.
Balaam had enough discernment to seek God’s counsel in the matter, and in verse 12 we see God’s answer, “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.”
That should have been the end of the matter. But Balak, desperately wanting some advantage over Israel, elected to try again. He sent more honorable noblemen and offered very great honor if Balaam would curse Israel. And here Balaam makes his mistake. In verse 19, in effect, he comes and asks God, “Is that your final answer?”
God allowed Balaam to go and bless Israel, but He showed his displeasure with Balaam (v. 22) and sent the angel of the Lord to withstand him in the way. After the donkey spoke and Balaam understood the situation, he knew better than to disobey God again. The nation of Israel was blessed; Balak expressed his displeasure with Balaam and sent him home.
Balaam’s name comes up again in Scripture later. Numbers 31:8, describing Israel’s conquest of the Midianites, concludes with this passage: “Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.” Balaam the prophet of Jehovah ultimately fell because of his failure to heed the clear direction of God. He wouldn’t take God’s word as final.
In Proverbs 20:25, the Bible tells us: “It is a snare unto a man….after vows to make inquiry.” It is a warning not to second guess God’s decisions and directions. The New Testament version is found in Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Once God has spoken, He doesn’t change His mind. Let us be careful not to dig up in doubt that which we buried in faith.
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
Spiritual Schizophrenia
February 16
Read: James 3:1-18
In context, the discussion in James chapter three concerns our tongues. After lamenting the power of an uncontrollable tongue, in verse 8 James starts to give some examples of things that simply should not be. In verse 10, he writes, “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” He follows with examples of a fig tree bearing olives and a fountain yielding both fresh water and salt water. He gets to the point beginning in verses 14-18, when he compares the fruit of a righteous (saved) man to what comes out of a natural (lost) man.
What James is describing here is spiritual schizophrenia. There really should be no such thing as a carnal or worldly Christian. It makes no sense that one who is bought by the blood, indwelt by the Spirit and fed on the Word of God should manifest the same manner of living as one who is lost without God. It is schizophrenic for a man to exhibit the character of both the saved and the lost. It is indicative of a split personality, or, as James writes in chapter one, a man who is double-minded.
But didn’t Paul in Romans chapter seven describe a war between the flesh and spirit, such that sometimes the flesh is in control? Indeed he did, and that conflict is something that Christians deal with until the day we are called home. We all have such a conflict within. The problem is when we begin to see walking in the flesh as normal.
We are incredibly good at rationalizing almost any behavior. The one who has an anger problem will simply decide, “That’s just the way I am” and accept it as something he cannot change. The pornography addict will conclude that “God made the opposite gender attractive, and besides, I’m not hurting anybody.” And he makes no effort to alter his practices. We have become a spiritual schizophrenic when we can claim to be Christian, know there is sin in our lives, and accept it as normal. Such a Christian is destined to live a powerless and frustrating life, dangerous not only to himself but to all around him.
Brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
Read: James 3:1-18
In context, the discussion in James chapter three concerns our tongues. After lamenting the power of an uncontrollable tongue, in verse 8 James starts to give some examples of things that simply should not be. In verse 10, he writes, “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” He follows with examples of a fig tree bearing olives and a fountain yielding both fresh water and salt water. He gets to the point beginning in verses 14-18, when he compares the fruit of a righteous (saved) man to what comes out of a natural (lost) man.
What James is describing here is spiritual schizophrenia. There really should be no such thing as a carnal or worldly Christian. It makes no sense that one who is bought by the blood, indwelt by the Spirit and fed on the Word of God should manifest the same manner of living as one who is lost without God. It is schizophrenic for a man to exhibit the character of both the saved and the lost. It is indicative of a split personality, or, as James writes in chapter one, a man who is double-minded.
But didn’t Paul in Romans chapter seven describe a war between the flesh and spirit, such that sometimes the flesh is in control? Indeed he did, and that conflict is something that Christians deal with until the day we are called home. We all have such a conflict within. The problem is when we begin to see walking in the flesh as normal.
We are incredibly good at rationalizing almost any behavior. The one who has an anger problem will simply decide, “That’s just the way I am” and accept it as something he cannot change. The pornography addict will conclude that “God made the opposite gender attractive, and besides, I’m not hurting anybody.” And he makes no effort to alter his practices. We have become a spiritual schizophrenic when we can claim to be Christian, know there is sin in our lives, and accept it as normal. Such a Christian is destined to live a powerless and frustrating life, dangerous not only to himself but to all around him.
Brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
Casual Interest
February 15
Read: Acts 24:1-27
After the attack on Paul and his subsequent arrest in Jerusalem, a number of the Jews entered into a conspiracy to murder him. News of the plot came to a nephew, who warned Paul and then the chief captain of the Romans, Claudius Lysias. Not wanting such to happen to a prisoner under his care, the captain prepared a military escort and sent Paul to Felix, the Roman Governor at Caesarea.
After the transfer, the Jews from Jerusalem went before Felix to accuse Paul of rebellion and sedition for his work among the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Felix listened to both parties, then elected to withhold judgement until Lysias could come down from Jerusalem and give his side of the tale.
Having Paul in prison, Felix decided to entertain himself and his wife by asking Paul to come and preach to them concerning his faith in Christ. Paul’s preaching had an effect, for, in verse 25 we read, “And as he (Paul) reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgement to come, Felix trembled...”. Felix was clearly convicted, but just as clearly there was no conversion. In verse 26 we read that he kept Paul in prison, hoping someone would pay a bribe for his release. After two years, Felix was replaced by another governor, Festus. And the Bible says that Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul imprisoned.
People come to church for a variety of reasons. Some are faithful servants of God, who are there to worship and serve Him. Some are dealing with a personal crisis of some kind and looking for possible answers. A third group is simply curious, somehow having gotten the idea that going to church was just good for them and looking for a way to fill up a Sunday morning. And there is final group there strictly for personal motives. Their attendance has nothing to do with God, but with their own personal agenda.
Felix was clearly in that last group. His work had brought him into contact with a Christian, and he was curious. As Paul was at his disposal, he chose to spend a little time researching this strange sect of the Nazarene. He was not, however, prepared for the power of the Gospel. Trembling, he was forced to decide, and he decided against. From that point Paul was simply a hostage to be held or a pawn to be used in his political dealings with the Jews.
There are regular church members who think no more of the gospel and the Savior than Felix. They come for reasons of networking, for political expediency, for social gain. They are occasionally ambushed by the Word of God, but by and large they are immune, having determined to keep their personal autonomy, even at the price of their eternity. They are wrong, but they are unpersuaded. Their destiny is that of the rich man who disdained Lazarus, or the wealthy one who, having accumulated more than he could use, set out to build himself bigger barns. To that one, and all like him, God posed this question: “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
Read: Acts 24:1-27
After the attack on Paul and his subsequent arrest in Jerusalem, a number of the Jews entered into a conspiracy to murder him. News of the plot came to a nephew, who warned Paul and then the chief captain of the Romans, Claudius Lysias. Not wanting such to happen to a prisoner under his care, the captain prepared a military escort and sent Paul to Felix, the Roman Governor at Caesarea.
After the transfer, the Jews from Jerusalem went before Felix to accuse Paul of rebellion and sedition for his work among the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. Felix listened to both parties, then elected to withhold judgement until Lysias could come down from Jerusalem and give his side of the tale.
Having Paul in prison, Felix decided to entertain himself and his wife by asking Paul to come and preach to them concerning his faith in Christ. Paul’s preaching had an effect, for, in verse 25 we read, “And as he (Paul) reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgement to come, Felix trembled...”. Felix was clearly convicted, but just as clearly there was no conversion. In verse 26 we read that he kept Paul in prison, hoping someone would pay a bribe for his release. After two years, Felix was replaced by another governor, Festus. And the Bible says that Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul imprisoned.
People come to church for a variety of reasons. Some are faithful servants of God, who are there to worship and serve Him. Some are dealing with a personal crisis of some kind and looking for possible answers. A third group is simply curious, somehow having gotten the idea that going to church was just good for them and looking for a way to fill up a Sunday morning. And there is final group there strictly for personal motives. Their attendance has nothing to do with God, but with their own personal agenda.
Felix was clearly in that last group. His work had brought him into contact with a Christian, and he was curious. As Paul was at his disposal, he chose to spend a little time researching this strange sect of the Nazarene. He was not, however, prepared for the power of the Gospel. Trembling, he was forced to decide, and he decided against. From that point Paul was simply a hostage to be held or a pawn to be used in his political dealings with the Jews.
There are regular church members who think no more of the gospel and the Savior than Felix. They come for reasons of networking, for political expediency, for social gain. They are occasionally ambushed by the Word of God, but by and large they are immune, having determined to keep their personal autonomy, even at the price of their eternity. They are wrong, but they are unpersuaded. Their destiny is that of the rich man who disdained Lazarus, or the wealthy one who, having accumulated more than he could use, set out to build himself bigger barns. To that one, and all like him, God posed this question: “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
Rumbling and Grumbling
February 14
Read: Numbers 11:1-20
As Israel traveled through the desert, God provided them with manna on a daily basis. For this manna they had to do no work other than gather it up. Each morning, as they arose, the gift of God lay fresh on the ground, easily available and capable of meeting every nutritional need for the whole nation. Manna was a miracle and a blessing direct from the hand of God.
In Numbers 11, Israel decides that manna is no longer good enough. A percentage of the people, called the mixed multitude, began to wish for the food they had left behind in Egypt. They wanted the variety, the tastes, the delicacies of Egypt. In verse 4, the Bible says they “fell a lusting”. Will somebody please give us a little meat to go with this manna?
In verse 10, we see the responses of both God and Moses. The anger of the Lord was kindled greatly, and Moses also was displeased. The complaining of the people actually reduced Moses to whining, and the first thing the Lord did was take some of His Spirit away from Moses and place on the seventy elders. Then He gave the people their request. For a month, they got meat to eat. They stuffed themselves until they were sick of it.
In Psalm 106:5 the Bible tells of this time, “And he (God) gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” It is unfortunate but true we in the church have learned little from Israel’s bad example. Week after week God provides us with preachers, musicians, and teachers, using them to supply everything we need for our spiritual well-being. And almost every Sunday, the “mixed multitude” shows up. They will complain that the song service is boring, the preaching is unexciting, or the temperature in the building is uncomfortable. Fed on a diet of television and top forty Christian music, they have “fallen a lusting” after the things of Egypt. And, like Moses, many pastors and Christian leaders have surrendered, giving them what they want.
There are so many lessons here. But the bottom line is pretty clear. Don’t let a few complainers shift your focus to the world. Egypt is not where the blessings reside. Keep your eyes on God, be grateful for His blessings, and follow Him faithfully. And be careful what you lust after, God may give you what you think you want.
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
Read: Numbers 11:1-20
As Israel traveled through the desert, God provided them with manna on a daily basis. For this manna they had to do no work other than gather it up. Each morning, as they arose, the gift of God lay fresh on the ground, easily available and capable of meeting every nutritional need for the whole nation. Manna was a miracle and a blessing direct from the hand of God.
In Numbers 11, Israel decides that manna is no longer good enough. A percentage of the people, called the mixed multitude, began to wish for the food they had left behind in Egypt. They wanted the variety, the tastes, the delicacies of Egypt. In verse 4, the Bible says they “fell a lusting”. Will somebody please give us a little meat to go with this manna?
In verse 10, we see the responses of both God and Moses. The anger of the Lord was kindled greatly, and Moses also was displeased. The complaining of the people actually reduced Moses to whining, and the first thing the Lord did was take some of His Spirit away from Moses and place on the seventy elders. Then He gave the people their request. For a month, they got meat to eat. They stuffed themselves until they were sick of it.
In Psalm 106:5 the Bible tells of this time, “And he (God) gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” It is unfortunate but true we in the church have learned little from Israel’s bad example. Week after week God provides us with preachers, musicians, and teachers, using them to supply everything we need for our spiritual well-being. And almost every Sunday, the “mixed multitude” shows up. They will complain that the song service is boring, the preaching is unexciting, or the temperature in the building is uncomfortable. Fed on a diet of television and top forty Christian music, they have “fallen a lusting” after the things of Egypt. And, like Moses, many pastors and Christian leaders have surrendered, giving them what they want.
There are so many lessons here. But the bottom line is pretty clear. Don’t let a few complainers shift your focus to the world. Egypt is not where the blessings reside. Keep your eyes on God, be grateful for His blessings, and follow Him faithfully. And be careful what you lust after, God may give you what you think you want.
Just a servant,
Bro. Tom
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