Contentment Devotional Cravings and Camels But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:2-3 A happy marriage, three healthy children, unlimited financial resources, a large and beautifully appointed home with hired help to clean it, most womens idea of the perfect life. Mallory, someone I know, lives that life. She has ample money and time to develop her skills at various hobbies and to exercise her creative talent in decorating her home. She delights in entertaining, whether her friends or her husbands business associates aand she devotes much energy into creating fun-filled activities for her children. Mallory is the pin that pricks my envy. Doesnt she realize how good she has it? I think when she describes her latest stress about her house, her hobbies or her teenaged daughters. Unbeknownst to Mallory, God has used her mightily in my life. In the few short months Ive known her, I have come to see that Mallory doesnt have it all. In fact, she really has very little because she doesnt know the Lord. For all her family and material blessings, she is lost inside which is why finding the perfect prom dress for her daughter is for her a very real problem. Her confidence lies solely in how well she can manage her material world and hold her family together. She cant of course which is why dream come true life and all, Mallory isnt happy. I do not have the home or the abundance of material blessings that Mallory does, but I know the Lord. He is mine, and I am His. In reality therefore I have it all, and Mallory has little. Asaph, who wrote psalm 73 was envious because those who dont follow God seem to have an easier time of it. And in many ways, initially at least that is true. But from an eternal perspective, having a lot isnt necessarily a blessing. The more we have, the more self sufficient we deceive ourselves into thinking we are. The rich of this world may have material comforts, but if God is far from their minds and hearts they really have nothing. Christians often lack the things of the world has because the lack forces us to turn to God and to depend on his provision. Lack therefore, facilitates closeness to God in a way that prosperity rarely does. Jesus is the one who said, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the Kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle then for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (Matt 19:23-24) He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Rom 8:32_. Can we not be content if part of the all things includes some withholding? For the daughter of God, any withholding is itself a provision, and we can experience it with joy when we know that the withholder loves us.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 20:41:03 +0000
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