Concrete
Focused on the Wrong Things
"Like a junk yard dog chewing on an old tire, many spend their time gnawing away at things that can never provide an ounce of spiritual sustenance." (Daniel Samons)
I have observed that God’s people often focus their attention on things that cannot feed the soul. As a result, they end up in a state of spiritual malnutrition. In turn this breeds a sour attitude among us where we begin to think that the world is getting ahead and service to God is vanity. Asaph explicitly describes this condition in an example that is worthy of our consideration:
"A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;" (Psalm 73:1-16)
Here we see the attitude that often arises among the people of God. We look at the wicked world and it seems like they are getting ahead. Meanwhile we exist in a comparatively low state devoid of so many of the the temporal "rewards" and public accolades they seem to enjoy. It can cause us to question our service to God, "Is it all vanity?"
Correction Found in the Lord’s House
Asaph found that there is correction to this wrong-headed way of thinking found in the assembly of God's people and in the ministry of His word:
"Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works." (Psalm 73:17-28)
Many in our time forsake the assembly and in so doing rob themselves of the spiritual sustenance, reassurance, and correction of the word of God. I’ve often wondered: What if Asaph had NOT gone into the sanctuary of God? Apart from a miraculous intervention, it seems he would have remained in his wrong-headed state of mind simply because he chose to forsake God’s prescribed means of correction and instruction.
StubbornNeSS and Concrete
It has been my observation that stubbornness of that sort has a way of hardening the heart of a child of God. Over the years I’ve had a few occasions to work with concrete. If you spill concrete, you are well advised to clean it up quickly. Often this can be done with water, a shovel, and some elbow grease. It is a mess of the manageable and inconvenient sort, but it’s doable, provided you put in the effort. Those who wait find those simple tools inadequate to the task of correcting the problem. Wait long enough and you will need a jackhammer. The lesson we should take from this is that we do well to correct the error of forsaking the assembly sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the harder it gets. The prophet Hosea said:
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” (Hosea 10:12)
God’s people often stand in need of breaking up that which has hardened and become unfruitful in their lives. Do you find yourself in a state of spiritual malaise and malnutrition today? Are you hardened in the rebellious practice of forsaking God’s prescribed means of correction, instruction, fellowship, and encouragement? Consider Hosea’s admonition: “Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord.”
See you Sunday, Lord willing,
- Elder Daniel Samons