11/16/2019
Are we satisfied with the Lord, and is He our entire portion in life? Before answering too quickly, think about it first. We are taught to respond “Yes!” to this question, and so, in knee jerk fashion, we do, but is our heart in that answer? Mankind... We are a restless and discontented creature that never seems to be satisfied for very long.
“"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."”
Lamentations 3:24 ESV
How long does a child play with a certain toy before they become disinterested in it, how long is an adolescent infatuated with their first love before they are ready to move on, how long does a man work at the same job before they become bored with it, and... how long do a people wander in the desert before they build their first golden calf? Not long!
“When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, "Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." So Aaron said to them, "Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!"”
Exodus 32:1-4 ESV
When left without guidance the Israelites almost immediately sank into idolatry, and that same tendency exists in us today. After all, we haven’t changed that much over the years. Look around... as strong godly leaders have evaporated, and affluence has become more prominent, our faith as a people has waned, so how do we overcome our nature, and be transformed into the likeness of Jesus? The Bible says unequivocally that we are to be transformed, and has certain directives and methods we should follow; first the transformation...
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
So we begin the transformation, but somewhere along the way we are tempted to stop and sit down, or grow weary and take a new and more exciting path. The allure of sin and frivolity, or perhaps wealth and sexual pleasure captures us. When this happens our faith becomes lukewarm at best. Does this sound familiar? Are you searching Bible stories for a good example to use as an illustration? Well there are many in the Bible, but just open your eyes and recall a story from a life being live around you... perhaps your own. Where is the golden calf in our own lives? Is it money, sex, power, a fine home, a thriving business, pride, or maybe vanity and our beauty; well the list can be endless because it is anything we place before God in our lives.
“Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!"”
Jonah 2:8-9 ESV
So how do we remain focused upon the Lord, and not let our attention wander, or temptation draw us away to false gods? How do we continue down the path of righteous transformation? Well, the Bible tells us several ways, but here are a couple of passages that are exceptionally helpful...
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 ESV
And the second is...
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:6-9 ESV
By making the Lord the continuous focus of our life in every aspect of it we are not inclined to stray away from Him, and the good work that was begun in us will be completed. Praying without ceasing, and these other things, are not impossible, but rather they are necessary to keep us walking in the way of righteousness.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6 ESV
So we should realize our intrinsic weakness as being a propensity to lose focus on our faith, and bolster our attention and dedication to it by doing these things, and reading scripture in moments of weakness. Are we ready to do this? Are we ready to stop viewing constant prayer and such as impossible, and start seeing them as requirements? This is how we cease being men and women, and begin to become children of God.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your patience with us as we struggle in our faith, and wrestle with Satan for our unwavering focus on you. Thank you Holy Father for the Angels that you send to strengthen us, and insure our victory. Thank you for your Son Jesus who lived, died, and was resurrected that our sins would be forgiven, and our transformation begun. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that brings us understanding, and prays for us when the words do not present themselves. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has prepared for us the way to salvation, and eternity. Wonderful are you who loves us when we are yet sinners, and calls us from who we are into a new and glorious creation. Praised be your name Lord, because all we are, and all we have comes from you. All glory is yours Father by the mercy and grace poured over us through Jesus Christ your pure and perfect vessel of love. Hear our constant worship, now, and forevermore.
Rich Forbes