John wrote of Jesus, "All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). Paul wrote, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen" (Rom 11:36). He wrote, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Eph 3:20-21). James wrote, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17). It's kind of sad and somewhat appalling that we are in the habit of accusing God of being inadequate.
How? Every day, we sin. We say, "God, You are not enough. We know better what we need, and what You give isn't good enough." Tough times come, and we complain. "God, you aren't good enough. You should have done better." We seek our satisfaction in things of the world. We pursue things -- desires, power, money, fame, stuff -- when God offers "far more abundantly than all that we ask or think." He offers us love and we look somewhere else for it. He will supply all our needs (Php 4:19), but we wave Him off. "Don't worry, God ... I got this." We'll get enough elsewhere, and, "with the help of God Almighty, I'll do it my way."
When will God be enough for us? True, we will all mess this up in this life, but what would it look like if our "daily bread" (Matt 6:11) was enough instead of always pursuing more? When will we be satisfied with a love that always provides our best? I'm not pointing fingers here. I don't get this right either. But shouldn't we be working toward being fully sastisfied with Him?
This is the exact reason that we sin. We didn't believe God is enough. We are commanded to remind ourselves ever day to pay for our daily bread, otherwise we will forget and look somewhere else. At least, that why I know I sin.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I think you meant “pray for” rather than “pay for,” right? Made me chuckle to read it, as I pictured us Christians stealing our daily bread. :)
Delete"…with the help of God Almighty, I'll do it my way." That, indeed, is one of the human heart’s chief infractions--expecting God to serve us and not the other way around.
ReplyDelete(As a sidenote, the line you quoted was actually from a Steve Taylor song, but I thought it was a perfect illustration of common thinking.)
DeleteI thought I was quoting you! Yes, it was perfect. I am not familiar with the song, so I looked up the lyrics; interesting how he linked it to an elected official--who might indeed give lip service to God but ignore His rightful place.
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