November 20, 2009
Going to the Dogs
There are many people who want nothing to do with the Lord…until they find themselves in a desperate situation. I think it’s interesting that these people refuse to have a personal relationship with the Lord, but yet they look to people of faith and ask for prayer support. While it’s a compliment when someone turns to you because you are a believer, it’s also sad knowing that they themselves have a tentative relationship with the Lord. I know that our prayers on their behalf are important, but I can’t help thinking how much better off they would be if they were seated at the Master’s table rather than just settling for crumbs. (Matt 15:21-28).
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Gail;
-----Running to the Lord in times of distress is a bit of human nature. We must recognize, of course, that some people won’t even allow themselves to run to the Lord, for that would be inconsistent with their atheism. But they still have the nature to run for intellectual and emotional cover, if not for spiritual cover. Even the Lord’s people move closer to Him in the difficult times of their lives. It is as natural as running for shelter in a cloudburst.
-----And that is how the Lord wants it. His message to Israel was always, “Come to me for aid; do not seek the assistance of your neighboring countries.” To their demise, they sought help from the neighbors. Since their demise, the Lord has told them He will return when they sincerely turn to Him in their day of distress. (Hosea 5:13-6:3). The New Testament is also replete with the same message, but it is a message to a believer about heart and mind rather than one to a country about its religion. Philippians 4:6 for example, is about running not to anxiety, but to prayer. Matthew 6:33 sets the tone of the believer’s heart: seek the Lord’s kingdom first, and all of life’s physical necessities will follow. So then, Hebrews 4:16 says it straight out, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace in the time of need.” And He likes this because close to Him is good for us.
-----If only it were so natural for man to run for cover in times of comfort as well! And that is why the Word so often calls for thanksgiving to the Lord. That is what thanksgiving is, in a manner of misspeaking. It is actually staying under cover in times of comfort. It looks at the comfort and recognizes from where it came and gravitates to its source. So thankfulness for what is on the table keeps us around the table. But thankfulness is far less an attitude of human nature than is running for cover.
-----That is why it must be taught and learned. Therefore, gathering together is important. For it is in this gathering we come close enough for our good points to rub off on one another. We have allowed life in the Lord to boil down to the wrong basic. We have become busy with taking up the offering, singing the songs, hearing the preaching, maintaining the building, and making sure our doctrine does not become effected by that of the church down the street. The Pharisees did this also. But Jesus said our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees. Life in the Lord actually boils down to the basics of love. The Lord gave elders, preachers, and teachers to counsel and strengthen the spiritual lives of His people, to teach kindness and doing good to all men. Honoring others honors their needs as well. So when a floor dweller approaches the table to lick some crumbs, the Lord hopes the slice of steak handed down by the table patron will make enough impression to send the floor dweller off looking for another chair to pull up to the table where he will begin to learn the thankfulness which will keep him off the floor.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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