Cheap Faith
Soul Snack S7/12 ... Cheap Faith
These people were unable to be numbered. They wore dust stained sandals and a wizened skin from the relentless mid-eastern sun. They were unable to settle. For forty years they had traversed a barren and harsh wilderness in this extended lesson to trust the one and only God.
All of God's goodness was to be received when Israel lived secure in Canaan. His people were to enjoy an abundance of life. This abundance He intended for them and their children in perpetuity. (These were also God's original intentions for Adam and Eve in Eden.)
How incalculably attractive should the Promised Land have been to the Israelites?
Life in God's land under God's rule is always to be excellent. No good thing does He withhold from those who love Him. (See Ps 84:11)
God's care was to deliver Canaan to His own people, but they were blind.
God's words they treated foolishly, carelessly and dismissively.
The Israelites held no inspiring memory of their mighty rescue by God from Egypt.
God frequently called for obedience, they steadfastly resisted.
These recalcitrant stiff - necked people failed to understand when life was good. Dis-satisfaction and complaint was the order of their day. They were blind to His blessings and ungrateful for His grace. At very best their faith was cheap; they had nailed it to ill-will and complaint.
Cheap faith lives out lethargy towards God's leading.
Cheap faith looks into His light and only sees its darkness.
Cheap faith still conforms to the prevailing mood and crucifies Christ all over again.
BUT even when I crucify Christ yet again, He lovingly and patiently resists crucifying me.
"But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God." Neh 9:31
Thank-you Father that you do not abandon me in my sinfulness. Thank-you for staying with me throughout my sinfulness. Amen
Today's Soul Snippet:
God's seeds are never weeds.