Life is not always what I think it should be. Sometimes the sun shines brightly and troubles seem far away. Then, there are those days when the Curse of the earth seems like it is focused exclusively on me - when nothing goes right! On those days, temptation rises in me. A little voice whispers - "Seek relief! Buy this! Go there! Do this or that!" Instead of going to a quiet place and waiting for the Spirit to bring the true rest that God alone provides, I want a quick fix for my aching heart. Temptation is especially seductive when we are tired or under pressure, isn't it? What are you chasing today? What's always in the back of your mind- getting a new car, finding a different job, taking a vacation? Why is that thought 'stuck' there? Do you want relief from something that is weighing heavily on you?
In those moments, we need to bring to mind the experience of God's people as written in the Word. "Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled." (Romans 15:4, NLT) Consider the Israelite people and their temptation in the desert. With miraculous power God brought them out of Egypt. The trip through the wilderness, however, was hard! They were under pressure, dealing with a completely different life than they had known back in Egypt. And, they craved relief! Despite the fact that God, in great love provided all they NEEDED including daily rations which they only had to go out and pick up from the ground, a perfect food called manna, they yearned for something else. The Bible tells us that "the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes." (Numbers 11:4-6 KJV)
What a terrible state of deception. "We ate freely..." was how they remembered when actually their food was purchased with their LIVES as slaves of the Pharaoh! "Nothing but manna..." they despised the special creation of food from Heaven's kitchen! In Psalm 106:13-15 KJV we read this commentary on those actions: "They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul." God allowed Israel to be 'satisfied' with stuff other than His manna, but their choice led them to spiritual poverty! Giving in to the temptation to seek diversion rather than receive rest came at high cost to their souls.
The same spirit that led them to obsess on the gourmet delights of Egypt led them to crave the gods of Egypt and to demand the creation of the golden calf idol which caused the death and destruction of many. The same spirit also caused them to miss the promise of the Lord God and to spend years wandering, literally in circles, in the remote areas of the Sinai waiting to die!
It can be difficult to stay contented with God's Presence and provisions while we live in a world that batters us with messages of selfish pleasure and false heavens! If we are not renewed in worship that is infused with Word and Spirit, we will quickly find the ersatz 'heaven' offered in the ad for a Caribbean cruise drawing us away from the true Heaven of His Presence. Paul reminds us of the seduction of worldly wealth and pleasure and then points the way to LIFE -- "Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:5-7 KJV)
There is rest for your soul!
Let God meet the need you have today.
When temptation offers you a temporary diversion, a quick fix for your aching soul, turn quickly to the Spirit of God, and pray for wisdom and strength to wait for His answer.
__________________
Only in God, is my soul at rest.
In Him comes my salvation.
Only in God, is my soul at rest.
In Him comes my salvation.
He only is my Rock,
My strength and my salvation.
My stronghold, my Savior,
I shall not be afraid at all.
My stronghold, my Savior,
I shall not be moved.
Only in God is found safety,
When my enemy pursues me.
Only in God is found glory,
When I am found meek and found lowly.
Only in God,
John Michael Talbot © 1980 Birdwing Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) / BMG Songs, Inc. (Mech) (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)
CCLI License No. 810055
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