‘Normal’ doesn’t cut it . . .

Leviticus 21; Psalms 26–27; Ecclesiastes 4; 1 Timothy 6

This morning’s first thought was that the will of God be done. Life is not predictable, and if I didn’t believe that before, it becomes clear in these days of social distancing and death statistics. After a few weeks, many are calling for a plan, a timeline. When can we go back to work, back to ‘normal’ and get on with life? The need for money is strong, as is the need for a sense of purpose and fulfillment is not satisfied by the rules of isolation and efforts to flatten the curve.

But was ‘normal’ doing it for everyone anyway? Didn’t people have fears and uncertainties before this virus came along? Were we driven by things that didn’t seem to ever produce the results hoped for? Before Covid-19, didn’t we wonder what would satisfy the deepest longings and desires of the human heart?

This morning’s reading in the Psalms gave me a resounding amen to my desire for God’s will to be done. David wrote:

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. (Psalm 27:1–5)

David expressed his desire for contentment, confidence, and a rich life that is secure. He realized ‘normal’ didn’t do it. Instead, he sought the Lord, something not done very often in ‘normal’ life. He recognized that resting in God’s presence was his security. Gazing on the beauty of the Lord gave him a sense of ‘this is enough’ and he was not only content but overjoyed to be under His care.

In contrast, Solomon describes the futility that relates to ‘normal’ and is becoming more evident in this pandemic. In a culture where a person’s success has been motivated by envy, selfish greed and/or a desire for prestige, this virus threat has brought back the idea that labor back is a basic, a necessity on which our lives depend. People want to go back to work and stay alive. For many, the loss of what was giving their life meaning, even though it didn’t always do that, is too much to bear. No one wants to think that work does not work, just as isolation is not working. To face that means asking a deeper question — where will that satisfaction, sense of purpose and fulfillment come from?

David knew where. I know it too. This contentment and sense of purpose and well-being is found in the Lord God who gives it as part of the package, as part of the eternal life gained by abandoning sin and self and trusting in Him. The NT writers knew it too. This morning, I also read:

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (1 Timothy 6:6–10)

Instructions for a good life tell me to “flee these things, to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. I am to fight the good fight of the faith (these days it is a fight) and take hold of the eternal life to which I have been called and about which I have told many others . . . .” (1 Timothy 6:11–12) It goes on:

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17–19)

If ‘normal’ means going back to self-centered motivations for work and for life, that which cannot be found in isolation will not be found there either. It is only in seeking the face of Jesus that satisfies the empty space, the longing of the human heart. In a saving, trusting relationship with God through faith in His Son, I settle down and rest — yet every day I must seek that place of rest and not get caught up in the fears and foibles of trying to do it without Him.

APPLY: Trust Jesus. Be centered in Jesus. Talk about Him. Tell others that He is the Savior, from sin but also from fear, enemies, discontent, purposelessness, snares and uncertainties. Practice what I preach. Trust Him with all my heart — I gave Him my life and I must allow Him to do with it as He wills — a big part is loving others —  and trust His will to be perfect.

No more junk food

Since heart patients must weigh themselves every day, I was a bit dismayed when I got on the scales yesterday. After a Thanksgiving weekend of rich food and many opportunities to enjoy it with family and friends, my weight took a jump. I suspected it had more to do with salt and water retention and was glad this morning to see it back near normal.

Today’s devotional is about spiritual hunger and the satisfaction of being filled by the Spirit of God. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)

Most of us know the satisfaction of a meal and being able to say, “I’ve had sufficient.” We also know that this does not last forever as we work or move about, then become hungry again and need to again eat food. In one way, this is like being filled with the Spirit. It happens, but when we sin and stop relying on God we need to be filled again. It is a life-long cycle.

Yet in another way, there is a difference. Jesus used eating and feeding on Him to illustrate another spiritual principle:

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:32–40)

The satisfaction of having God’s Spirit fill me and give me all that I need for decision-making, being godly toward others, glorifying the Lord and living according to His Word is always available in Jesus Christ. He is the Bread of life and the only One who satisfies my desire for a life above the mundane, an abundant life that is focused on eternal values and brings total satisfaction.

As Tozer says, physical hunger and thirst are physical sensations which, in their acute stages, may become real pain. I’m not able to do much of anything if hunger or thirst has weakened or even distracted me. My attention turns from God and the needs of others to my own desires and problems. As Tozer also says, God is ready and willing to fill me, yet gives me the choice of eating and drinking as I decide. Too often, my fare is not His provision but something of my own ability or invention and it does not come even close to the satisfaction and fullness that He gives.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, to think that ‘I can do it myself’ is a human delusion fed by the enemy of my soul. I sometimes walk away from a thanksgiving spiritual banquet to a hasty of scraps and leftovers, thinking it will do. How silly. Forgive me again for failing to seek You when I feel needy and hungry, thirsty and empty. Your promise is amazing — You are the Bread of life, the Water of life that satisfies always and forever. May You continually remind me so that all junk food becomes a thing of the past and my hungry heart always goes first to You!

Satisfaction is a gift

Every day we thank God for our meals. What we should be doing also is thanking Him for the satisfaction He gives along with the food. 
 

Eating by itself does not make a person feel satisfied, nor does a good meal always do it. Some eat because they are lonely; food cannot fix that. Some eat because their lives are empty and hopeless; food cannot fix that either. We also know several people suffering from eating disorders. Whatever the reasons and causes, for them food is repulsive; there is no satisfaction in eating it. 

Then there are those appetites and hungers that only God can fill, such as the desire for forgiveness, a longing to be righteous, a craving for inner peace, and a deep hunger to know the mysteries of life and to be certain of their destiny after death. That being said, God does take care of His people in the area of food.

The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want. (Proverbs 13:25)

Matthew Henry says that the happiness of the righteous means we shall have enough and also know when we have had enough. We don’t want to over-indulge because, praise God, He has given us moderation in our desires. This means that as we walk with Christ, we are soon satisfied. We are content with a little and His grace can even give contentment with less. For us, just enough can be as good as a feast. 

Our greater feast is the One who is the Bread of life, Jesus Christ. We feast on Him, His nature, His gifts to us, and on the promises of God. Because of Him, we enjoy an abundant satisfaction of soul. God fills us by taking care of every need, both inner and external. 

Those who do not know God, or who are not walking with Christ, never feel satisfied. Instead, there is a need in them that they might not be able to identify. Because this emptiness seems without a name, they seek satisfaction in the world and the flesh, but never feel full. Their sensual appetite is always craving. Henry says the worst, that in hell they shall be denied even a drop of water.

I’ve experienced both abundance and poverty. In both, God has shown me that contentment is not about what we have or do not have. Instead, it comes from knowing that He is taking care of us and being content with His provision. Both the care and the contentment are gifts of grace. 

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Oh Father, truly You do “prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” and I am certain that Your “goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:5–6). Thank You for the grace to be content with whatever You provide.

(clip art credit)