God & The Blessings of God

Deuteronomy 8:16 “He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17  You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18  But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. 19  If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.”

There are certain moments of real temptation for me.  I love the taste of coffee in the morning (with a little creamer).  I love the warmth of the sunrise on my back as I read God’s Word.  I love the silent fishing at sunset when my inflatable raft is the only boat in the vicinity. (Insert your own)  I love when my kids ask for a hug. And….The moment of testing has arrived!  The temptation is subtle, but it’s there.

“I could get used to this…”  God has given us many good things to enjoy, but we are meant to recognize the Giver and give Him glory and thanks!  “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:16-17  We are to live lives of constant connection with our Heavenly Father, but it is all too easy to take these gifts for granted, like my youngest moving on so quickly from a gift, with “What else did you get me?”

Adam and Eve enjoyed the pleasures of a sinless world, intimacy with God, and a garden that met every need, but it was not long before they bought into the Tempter’s lie: “Does God really have your best in mind?  Isn’t He holding back and not giving you what you really should have?  And just like that, mankind is thrust into a world of suffering.  We are prone to the very same things, even after the perfect solution of redemption is provided, “Can’t I have the best of both worlds?”

The key is to cling to our Creator in every aspect of our Lives, trusting Him in the abundant and lean times.  Israel serves as an example to us of what can happen when one forgets the Source of one’s blessings: “…my hands have produced this wealth for me." (Deut 8:17)  This sin is just as prevalent in the New Testament era, even in churches: “You say,  I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.  But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.  Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (Rev 3:17-20)

Here we go again, just trusting in what our eyes can see, rather than receiving His infallible promises!  God desires faith from us; He wants us to enjoy, even expect what He will do and give.  And in all that, He want us to give in return a sacrifice of praise!  He wants a relationship with us…and not someone who just lives for what they can get from Him.

I think of Eric Liddle, the 1924 Olympic runner’s statement, “When I run, I feel His pleasure”.  We must actively resist the tendency to lose sight of the Higher Calling! We were made for something greater, and so we must intentionally and regularly return every gift with a gift of our own: praise & worship!  If He has blessed you with much, realize that it is to be used as a good steward for eternal purposes.  If He has brought difficulty or trouble into your life, that too can be an opportunity to “store up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20), making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16)

We would do well to prioritize the heavenly realities over our earthly ones: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)  So, how has God “blessed you” in this season of your life?  What are you going to do with them?  Enjoy this summer, and the remaining days He has given you, wisely knowing in this, “each of us will give an account of Himself to God” (Romans 14:12).  Let us praise Him today through Whom all blessings flow!