10/10/2020
When we travel into the world, and see the marvelous cathedrals that have been built there, we are amazed by their beauty, but when we return home to our meager little church where we comfortably kneel and feel intimacy with the Holy Spirit, speaking with Jesus, and worshipping God, we find that this is the well from which our living water flows, and the source of our greatest happiness. No grand Chapels, nor towering spires, can satisfy us more.
“A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.”
Psalms 84:10 NLT
When Ann and I were young our first little house was a four room cottage with none of the amenities that other people considered basic. There was no dishwasher, no place for a washing machine or dryer, and no shower in our bathroom... only a bathtub. Yet, when I think of where we thrived in love, faith, and were our happiest, I think of this house. We had no money, no fine cars, and none of the frills of life, but our love filled that place, and our faith had blessed it.
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””
Hebrews 13:5 ESV
When we first moved into this house Ann’s uncle Onell, who was an older pastor, dropped in for a visit with Ann’s aunt Mary, and we served them some meager drink, and food. Thinking back on that day I realize that it wasn’t much, but it was the best we had to offer. Then we sat in the living room, and they gave us their best in return... they prayed a blessing over our little cottage.
“And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.”
1 Samuel 25:6 ESV
We were happy in our little house, and God blessed us there with the first of our children, and all the peace and joy that Christ brings when He abides with you. This was the beginning of our life together, and a happiness that doesn’t come from earthly wealth, but from love, and the presence of God.
“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.”
Proverbs 24:27 ESV
So it was, as newlyweds, we started our lives with nothing except love, and faith. All our furniture was hand me down, even our mattress, and we took many meals with Ann’s parents. Yet, as I look back on those days I can find no bad memories, only joy. It was from this simple beginning that we started to work, and to prepare for the home that would one day be where we would live out our lives.
“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.”
Proverbs 24:27 ESV
As the years went by the Lord blessed us further with more children, and finally, after much hard work, He allowed us to build a fine house where we raised our children, and He walked with us as we suffered through all of life’s hardships. As we worked to get to this place we would take a weeklong vacation each year with Ann’s parents, and rent a condominium together at the beach. These condominiums were always plusher than where Ann and I normally lived, but despite their amenities it was always good to come back home... back to our house where God blessed us every day, the gospel of Jesus led us, and the Holy Spirit swirled about.
“Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”
James 2:5 ESV
Then one year, after we had built the home that scripture spoke of, we came home from our vacation, and realized that for the very first time in our lives, the home we returned to was finer than where we went on vacation... and we thanked the Lord for His provision.
“if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation. And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.”
Job 8:6-7 ESV
Now we look back through the years, and remember our poor beginnings in that little four bedroom cottage furnished with our parent’s old furniture, And it warms our souls. We recall how putting food in the pantry was cause for celebration, and we see how happy we were in those poor earthly circumstances. What strikes us most though is how God started us down our path to where we are today, and sustained us through all the hard years, but how none are more wonderful than the time we spent in our tiny cottage... when we had little more than our faith, but thought we had the world.
“but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.”
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 ESV
Have you found it to be true in your life that the poor beginnings you experienced were your happiest times? Do you realize that having nothing but your faith in God, and Jesus Christ, were the least encumbered by the world, and the wealthiest days of your life? Were your struggles in life, your most rewarding in faith? Think back on the days when you were working hard in the fields of your beginnings, and trusting in God to help you build your house.
“And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”
Luke 6:19-20 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for leading us through life, and taking us from meager earthly beginnings to the fine house that we have built with you. Thank you Father for being true to your Word, and encouraging us in it. We thank you most Lord for showing us that when all we have is you... that is enough, and that Jesus is our spring of living water that satisfies us most, and brings us our greatest joy. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us mightily, and in whom we find our greatest joy when the world’s wealth is not an obstruction to our faith. Praised be your name for the early days of our lives that you spend preparing us for the overflowing success of heavenly treasure. You are merciful Lord, and bless us each day. You are full of grace, and though we work in the fields of this world, there is nothing we can do to earn your forgiveness for our sins... but to ask with a truly contrite heart. Look upon us and see that we are poor in spirit as we seek you diligently, and give us your blessings, and joy, to mask the poverty of our youth with the mature love you have prepared. Have patience with us as you wait for us to grasp this truth. Thank you Holy Father for the years of impoverishment that have led us to you, and makes way for our redemption, and an eternity of spiritual wealth in your house.
Rich Forbes