07/15/2020
Do we believe ourselves to be self-made men and women? Do we look around and see all of the affluence that surrounds us, and stare in the mirror; smiling at our own reflection? When we find that we want for nothing, and have become smug in what we have done, it is in our self-righteousness that we are truly lost. What the world has to offer is fleeting, and satisfies us for a day, and yet we can become addicted to its allure, and lose sight of God, Jesus Christ, and the satisfaction they give that is eternal.
“For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Revelation 3:17 ESV
There is nothing more destitute than a soul that doesn’t long for something. Parents give to their children as best they can, and surround them with playthings to entertain them, but how often do those parents hear these words from their kids... “I’m bored!”, or “There is nothing to do!” At this point there are three primary responses... the parent might buy the child yet another toy that would entertain him for a few more hours, the child might simply be allowed to lounge about whining, throwing its toys, and telling the world how miserable it is, or, the parent might say “Go outside and play!” Knowing full well that if the child successfully searches within themselves they will find a wealth of things to do, and satisfy their longing for action with imagination and creativity. Children who look inside themselves will find what the physical world is unable to give them... playmates, playthings, and other hidden treasures.
During our pilgrimage through the world of faith we can find ourselves stuck in the wilderness of spiritual nothingness like the child I have described who found itself lost. It seems the more possessions we have in the physical world, the less we look for the things we cannot see in the spiritual... faith itself. This is not a mystery to Satan, and his ploy is to keep giving us toy after worldly toy, knowing that as he does so we will become more and more dependent on him, and unable to find our way in faith... eventually becoming lost to even the idea of God, and Jesus. So God calls out to us, and invites us to leave the world, and come outside. Jesus knocks, and knocks at our door, but the question becomes this; will we open it, and rediscover what we have lost to the world... our spiritual nature, and faith. Will our thirst continue to be for the short lived offerings of the world, or for the eternal gifts we can’t see with our eyes, that last forever? Will our soul long for living water as Abraham, Moses, and David’s did? There is nothing more destitute than a soul that doesn’t long for God.
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”
Psalm 42:1-2 ESV
Jumping from an airplane will thrill us, and possibly make us happy until we hit the ground, but opening the door of our faith thrills us, and gives us joy eternally. So how are we defeating our boredom in life? Are we feeding on the decaying pleasures of the world, and attempting to satisfy ourselves with its lust and short lived moments of accomplishment, or are we listening to our soul as it calls out for more, and opening the door to the knock of Jesus Christ... to find our God waiting there for us?
“My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?””
Psalm 42:3 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the thrill and quickening that my soul finds in you, and thank you for your Son Jesus who stood knocking; asking me to surrender the world to Him, and then gave me abundant life as I found eternity in you through your grace that flowed from Him. Hear my prayers Lord for all those who are lost in the world. I pray for the poor who search for you, but especially for those who see themselves as wealthy and needing nothing... those who are lost, and don’t realize their plight. I pray that your Son Jesus knocks, and knocks again at the door of men lost in a life filled with earthly pleasure, and yet still need more to satisfy them. I pray that their eyes be opened to you, and their constant boredom in life be satisfied by an eternal, and growing, faith in you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who stands patiently waiting to redeem the poor in spirit. Merciful are you who blesses those who are broken and come humbly to you for salvation. Amazing is your grace that is poured out on the righteous, and also the unrighteous, who stand by the door unaware that you are about to knock, and change their lives forever. Help us in overcoming our unbelief, and strengthen us in faith, as we wander in the world, thinking we know what it is to be self-sufficient in our wealth, or to be poor and feel satisfied with having nothing. Hear us praise you Father as we lift up our voices joyously in having found the true treasure of life... our love, and faith, in you. Hear us rejoice at having heard the knock of Jesus at our door, and in anticipation of the trumpet’s call that will sound His return. All glory be yours Holy Father, and hallowed be your name as we are welcomed by our love, and faith In you, at your table forevermore.
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:6-9 ESV
Rich Forbes