WHEN YOU LACK FOR NOTHING BUT STILL WANT MORE
Christmas is only 61 days away. Wow, this year has flown by even though it seems like it has lasted forever. I’ve already purchased several Christmas presents, which is some kind of a record for me. Normally, I am struggling at the last minute to find those last-minute gifts. It is so hard to buy presents because most of us already have everything that we need.
I was reading in Nehemiah yesterday, and these two verses stopped me in my tracks. They made me think about the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the wilderness in a whole different way.
Nehemiah 9:20-21
20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. 21 For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.
These two verses show the Lord’s faithfulness and how He cared for His people. He gave His Spirit to give them instructions and directions. I knew that the Lord gave them manna to eat so that they wouldn’t go hungry. The people grumbled about manna, and they longed for something different, but they didn’t starve. The Lord provided!
Even though I knew that the Israelites wandered around in the desert, I never thought about how they found water. How in the world did they wander for forty years and just happened to always find water to keep them from going thirsty? This is a huge thing; people have to have water to survive. I am sure that the people longed for wine to drink, but they didn’t go thirsty. The Lord provided!
When the Israelites left Egypt, I doubt if they were dragging a huge Samsonite suitcase with them. It wasn’t like they packed several months’ worth of clothing with them; it was probably more like several days worth of clothing instead. Never once did I even consider how those clothes didn’t rot or become threadbare from forty years worth of wear. Did the people get tired of wearing the same clothing over and over again? More than likely, they wished for different clothes, but they didn’t go naked. The Lord provided!
In those days, a lot of people walked barefoot. Some would wrap their feet in cloth, and some were lucky enough to have sandals. Have you ever walked on the beach in sandals? The sand is so aggravating and hard to walk on since it keeps getting in your sandals that I usually take them off and carry them in my hands. The Israelites walked for FORTY years in the desert sand, and their feet never became swollen. The Lord provided!
They lacked nothing! Those three words made me realize how blessed I am. I have more than I need, but I find myself always wanting more. I have enough clothing to last me for years, but I still buy more. My car still works fine and takes me where I want to go, but I upgrade to a new one every couple of years. Whenever a new iPhone hits the market, I start to find reasons why the phone I currently have isn’t good enough.
Am I like the Israelites? I lack for nothing, but I am never satisfied and always looking for more than I need. I’m so thankful for God’s word, reminding me of His faithfulness and guiding me to a more thankful perspective.
Have a blessed week!
Thank you for posting this. This speaks to many of us, even Christians, and it is time to recognize how the world is seeping in to affect our desires. Better to develop the desire to give to God’s causes and Kingdom…where it will produce something good. Thanks again.
Hi! This is very thoughtful. It is something that I am very aware of these days. I realize that I really don’t need new clothes when I am not going anywhere and I have a closet full of clothes. Your blog gives me some creative ideas but it is also very tempting to buy more.
A timely encouragement. Thank you for not being ashamed to proclaim Christ. God Bless You.
I love the Lord and I am not ashamed of my belief.
What a great platform you have to preach the gospel! Bless you Tania for being faithful to God’s calling on your life. Your Sunday posts always bless me
Kathe, I believe that the Lord “gave” me this blog and platform so that He could use me for His purpose.
I love pretty things. But I’ve learned that balance is important. I’ve tried to spend my time and money on opportunities that will foster my relationships, whether with friends or family. Also, our nation’s current situation has forced me to delve deeper into God’s Word. It’s a confusing time. I live in California and feel that church has been targeted. Reading the Bible has given me comfort and boldness.
Love your Sunday posts. So uplifting and inspirational during these times. As someone else said, thank you for being faithful and not being ashamed of the Gospel.
Judy, I love the Lord, and I hope that HE is not ashamed of me.
There are places where showing your love for the Lord is not encouraged. I wore a cross necklace to another state, and a lady in the elevator told me how proud she was for me wearing the cross. That floored me, but I understood that it was not “normal” where she lived.
Such a good reminder. Just last week, I donated 4 huge sacks of clothing to a women’s shelter. My closet is still stuffed. May I always remember God’s goodness to me!
I go through my closets often and give away lots of clothing too.
I love your Sunday messages. What a great way to reach women with God’s word who may otherwise not hear it. You are a blessing to so many.
I thank the Lord every night for using me to spread His word!
Such a Good Word!!
Love your Sunday messages!!
Thanks, Julie!
So true, we are a want society not need, and I am ashamed I am one of them! God does provide for us and his spirit in us. Thank you for this message!
Pam, I know that I have everything that I NEED. Unfortunately, I don’t have everything that I WANT. UGH! I need to try and have a better balance.
Sadly Americans are consumers of things when what we really need to consume is God’s Word. Thank you for the reminder this morning. Have a blessed day!
I am guilty of being a consumer. It is a struggle that I have, and I am working on this.