Taking God for Granted-1/4/2012

"And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Phi 4:19

Even the thought of having every need met is mind blowing. In truth, many of us do not think in terms of God meeting our needs because he does it so abundantly. We actually take the things he does for us for granted. None of us ever goes over to the sink, turns the faucet and thinks, "Wow! Water!" The same thing is true of flipping on a light switch. We take it for granted because it is always there. We do not experience the "uh oh" moments until nothing comes out of the faucet or the lights do not come on. We then miss it immediately and it becomes a priority to restore things. That done, we just as immediately go back to our previous thinking.

Beloved, God supplies all of our needs and so many of our wants that we get the two confused. We so often think our wants as needs that we get upset with God if he does not supply them. Here is a challenge: sit down and make a list of all of the things you personally need to live. Be honest with yourself about your list. It should include things like food, air, water, shelter, etc., and should not even include a spouse or children. You will quickly realize that your ability to even make such a list means that those needs are being met. Thank God! Now do this: make a list of all of the things you have. This can now include your spouse, kids, particular house, car, job, education, bank balance, that second freezer in the garage or basement, the garage or basement itself, the Disney vacation, jewelry, flat screen, etc., etc., etc. If you found yourself without the things on the second list, would you consider them needs or wants? Truly mature Christian understanding would reveal that our most critical needs are spiritual...but that will be a topic for another day.

God not only supplies ALL of our needs but so many of our wants. Though scripture tells us to be content with whatever we have, there is nothing wrong with wanting things. We have just shown that God is generous in his provision of them. The message here is that we must be appreciative of all he does for us whether need or want. We should, every now and then, stop and say, "Thank you Lord for your goodness, grace and mercy." Let us never take him for granted.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee