I went outside yesterday and
even though it was about 85 degrees there was a crispness in the air that
usually comes in the fall, middle to
later September. I mentioned it to Carla
who also noticed it and was going to say something.
This has been a different than
normal year, the garden is sustaining our needs, not sure, though whether or not
we will be able to can and freeze much.
For the first time we are struggling with some pests and some blight on
the vegetables.
Still we are thankful for the
produce and are enjoying all the garden has given us thus far.
Blaze is actually acting more
like a dog, kinda. He is starting to
play a bit with Ozzie, a new activity for him.
He found a bone that I had given Teresa’s Wanda a couple weeks ago and
brought it into the house to gnaw on. We
give him beef bones to chew on outside, but he loses interest rather quickly –
so I take it as a good sign he brought one in from outside – although it would
have been better not to have placed it on the rug.
Psalm 73:3-9 For I was envious at
the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the
wicked.
4 For there are no bands
in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble
as other men; neither are they plagued like other
men.
6 Therefore pride
compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a
garment.
7 Their eyes stand out
with fatness: they have more than heart could
wish.
8 They are corrupt, and
speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak
loftily.
9 They set their mouth
against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the
earth.
Actually it is best to read the
whole chapter; for me it was a good reminder that everything is not as it
seems. But these verses, in particular,
stood out for me.
It is easy for us to become
envious of those that have what seems to be a great life. They have money, they have possessions, they
pretty much do what they want and many despise those that do not have these
things.
They look at us as worthless,
only to be used to further their gain.
They rule the countries, the have power over the government even when
they are not part of it. They speak and
people give them voice, it is like they are gods and the rest of us are their
stepping stones.
We look at their treasures and
ask God, “why?” Why do people of this
nature, people who despise you, people who use their wealth and power to tear
you, your Word, Jesus and the rest of us down and stomp upon us as they would a
bug?
Verse 12-14 Behold, these are
the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in
riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed
my heart in vain, and washed my hands in
innocency.
14 For all the day long
have I been plagued, and chastened every
morning.
So many Christians are going
without food and yet these have wealth unimaginable to those of us who do not
have it. Why are they rewarded?
Why, does God allow them to
prosper when so many of His children in Christ suffer?
Our heart cries out for justice;
it doesn’t seem to come. You would think
it would be the other way around; those whose life is hidden in Christ would be
the prosperous ones and those that deny Him would be punished and forced into
servitude of the Christian.
Verse 16-26 When I thought to
know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the
sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set
them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into
destruction.
19 How are they brought
into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with
terrors.
20 As a dream when one
awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their
image.
21 Thus my heart was
grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and
ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am
continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right
hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with
thy counsel, and afterward receive me to
glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven
but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside
thee.
26 My flesh and my heart
faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for
ever.
We are in this world. We look about us and see such disparity of
wealth. And we ask God, Why? There are those that would take from the
wealthy and disperse it to those in need – but without encouragement and
direction for those people it is ineffective.
Given “free” (actually taken by some from others) items without earning
it can be a detriment to the self-worth of a person.
These people feel they are
entitled that they should receive without paying any price whether labor or
money. AND there are those that can
rightly say that, they need the support because they cannot provide for
themselves due to inability – not unwillingness.
Our heart can become greedy and
we resent the wealthy for what they have.
We don’t differentiate between those that have been blessed of God and
those that have attained their wealth abusing and using people and using illegal
means.
Instead of focusing on Christ we
focus on others. Instead of being
servants of God we become slaves of worldly possessions. Instead of allowing God to provide for us we
demand that others provide for us. We
become saturated with envy, anger and hatred towards those that have more
physical wealth or power than we do.
It is hard not be look at these
people and ask God ‘why?’ We have
strived to serve Him, yet we receive little or nothing for our efforts; while
they do nothing for God and receive affluence.
However, we could find ourselves falling away from God because we are too
concentrated and concerned about the status of others, if we are not
careful.
God knows this and the writer
reminds himself AND us:
“My flesh
and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for
ever.”
God knows us and He wants to
sanctify us. He wants to purify our
hearts and minds and get them focused on Him.
We must learn to rely on Him for the fulfillment of all our needs – with
the first priority being our spiritual well-being.
Later, Art :-)
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