The world’s philosophy is that accumulating more is better than living with less. Life with “gusto” is often pictured by a man grabbing with both hands everything he can get from life. Unsaved humanity does not like to consider God or His requirements for their life. They are filled with every dishonorable activity known to mankind. They not only perform these degrading actions, but they also take pleasure in persuading others to join them in perpetuating these coarse practices (Romans 1:28-32).
God gives us both His Word
and His ministers to teach us, as well as to show us by example, how to
exchange this ungodly behavior for actions that give glory to God (Ephesians
4:11). We find rest for our soul in God
alone. Our hope comes from Him, because He alone is our rock and salvation. He
is our fortress, and He will never allow us to be shaken (Psalm
62:5-6).
The truth in the Bible
states that one handful of quietness is better than both hands full of trouble
and exasperation of spirit (Ecclesiastes 4:6). Solomon understood that a meal of vegetables where there is love is better than a
meal with a fattened calf where there is hatred (Proverbs 15:17). We do not need to covet what others have, because the
road to hell is slippery ground. Their unbelief casts them down to ruin. They
are suddenly destroyed and completely swept away into eternal terrors (Psalm
73:18-19). However, God gives Believers
everything we require for a satisfying life both now and in eternity (Psalm
73:16-17).
Since Paul gathered his
strength from the Lord regardless of his circumstances, he learned to live in
victory both when he abounded with plenty, as well as when he suffered
deprivation (Philippians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 6:6). God provides for us as well. He fills us through all of our being with all the
fullness of His presence (Ephesians 3:16-19). Then, He promises never to leave
us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5).
We find deep contentment in our relationship with Him rather than in the
temporal provisions of life.
So often we experience first
hand our deliverance from some awful circumstance by God’s miraculous hand,
only to forget about it a few days later. We get caught up in the current
situation and overlook the dynamic power of God just waiting to deliver us once
again. We forget the Word of Truth we relied on to keep us in peace throughout
the last trial we experienced (Deuteronomy 4:9-10). We also fail to diligently relate to our children the testimony of the
astounding power, which God used in our behalf (Deuteronomy 6:5-10).
Worse yet, we receive God’s free gift of salvation and then fail to keep His commandments, walk in His statutes or share His love with those He puts into our life (Deuteronomy 6:17). If instead, we remember His blessings, share with our children the testimony of God’s provision and walk in obedience to His commandments, then He can deliver us again and again in an even greater capacity than ever before (Deuteronomy 11:22-23, 28:1). As we cling to Him and serve Him with our whole spirit, soul and body, He abundantly provides for us through all of the circumstances of life (Joshua 22:5; Psalm 77:6, Psalm 119:1-4; Proverbs 4:23)
In these trying times in
which we now live, we may be tempted to give in to jealousy and bitterness
toward people in the world who seem to have so much more than we do (Psalm
73). However, these temporal things only
serve to defile their whole life (Hebrews 12:15). Instead, we can focus on the fact that God called us
to a sure election and He will never fail us (2 Peter 1:10). Then, we will live our life in peace and present our
self to Him without spot and blameless on the day of His appearing (2 Peter
3:14).
Prayer:
Lord God, without faith it
is impossible to please You. Therefore, we trust in the truth that Jesus gave
His life as a ransom for our freedom from sin and sin's penalty.
We know without a doubt that You reward those who seek You with due
diligence (Hebrews 11:6). You
never forget our labor of love, which we show in Your name as we minister to
Your Saints and to the world around us. You give us the full assurance of a
hope placed in You and You provide us with the inheritance of all Your promises
throughout our life (Hebrews 6:10-12). Prayer:
Thought for the Day:
What we often hope to
accomplish with ease is often finished only by applying due diligence. 