1 Samuel 16; Psalm 32; Lamentations 1; Romans 14
Yesterday we drove a few blocks to a new construction project. The show home was open so we had a look. It was amazing, big windows, full of sunlight, well-planned, roomy and so suited to our lifestyle. Immediately I wanted to buy it and move — again, at my age, and I’ve moved 32 times already. But I thought about this lovely space most of the night and didn’t sleep much. I knew this was a temptation/test and that God was going to say something about it.
First thing my nightstand Focus File said “Creativity vs. falling short of God-given abilities, with this verse: ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’” (Romans 12:2)
Of course the idea of bigger, better, more conforms to a worldly idea. God isn’t interested in that. Besides, yesterday’s sermon was about living up to our calling — which included the question, “What do I have to sacrifice in order to do that?” He was telling me to think this through.
Then I read today’s four sections in my devotional. Samuel was looking at a family of several boys because God told him He had provided for Himself a king among them. Samuel thought it would be the oldest who was tall and looked good, but God said to him:
“Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
As God often does, He pulled this verse out of context and spoke to me about my value system again. Appearance and size. The show home was appealing in both but thinking about God’s values made me realize that what was the most appealing about that fancy house was its lack of clutter — a characterization of a well-staged show home. It was not full of stuff, and isn’t that what God values in a suitable servant? He wants my whole heart, free of distractions and ‘I-wants’ so I can hear and obey Him. I cannot do that with a strong desire for a ‘this life only’ self-indulging luxuries.
David’s Psalm 32 is about being blessed by forgiveness, far more valuable than any house. He says:
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit . . . . Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah (Psalm 32:1–2, 6–7)
God promises to instruct me and teach me I the way I should go (vs. 8) and tells me not to be like a horse or mule — both can be stubborn and without understanding. At that, I felt so glad to be His child. The joy and blessings He gives do not depend on where I am living or even how uncluttered my space might be.
Lamentations expresses grief over the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. yet it is contemporary in describing the sorrow felt when God ceases to bless. His people rebelled against Him and it didn’t matter whether they were in a nice place or the desert — their joy was gone. That is worse than living in a shack!
When we came home, I looked again at our space. The rooms were mostly the same size, some a bit smaller but not by much. The difference was traditional vs modern, the décor and the stuff. If we moved into that place and took all our stuff, it would be no different than where we live now!
APPLY: Satan tempted Jesus with the stuff of the world. He was not interested. Being tested like this tells me to be aware and keep my heart purged from junk. It also suggests that I keep at the task of clearing out the extras in my home that is not needed, not used, and making me want to move. Moving the stuff is far easier on the body and the budget.
Besides all that, God gives me lots to think about with Romans 14. It is about assuming my way is the best way with a smug attitude that can cause others to falter in their faith. I need to confess having a bad attitude in that department also and thinking more about the needs of others instead of indulging myself. I need Jesus to do this well. ‘Creativity’ could be a good word for my need but ‘purging’ might be more on target.
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