Why Wait?
You ever let a friendship lapse for months, even years, and all of a sudden you need a favor from that person? You feel a little sheepish, don’t you? What will they think? Why is he calling now? What does he need? And you wonder if there’s anything left of the relationship.
I suggest, that for many of us, our relationship with God is a lot like that. We treat Him like a genie or Santa Claus, we only seek Him out when we need something. The Israelites were like that. Here’s one sample: “They [the Israelites] were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.” (Ps. 107:5,6; emphasis added) Four times in this Psalm (v.6,13,19,28) it says, “Then they cried out to the Lord.” The sad thing is that each time it was only AFTER their stubbornness and rejection of God’s ways had gotten them into dire circumstances: v.5 “They were hungry and thirsty,” v.12 “They stumbled and there was none to help,” v.18 “they drew near to the gates of death,” v.26 “their soul melted away in their misery.”
Had God forgotten them?
No. EVERY time they cried out, it says, “He delivered them out of their distresses (v.6), He saved them out of their distresses (v.13,19), He brought them out of their distresses (v.28).” Why did they wait until things got bad to seek their provider, protector, deliverer, their friend? I have a note in the margin of my Bible to remind myself “repent early.” I’m thankful for the perspective of history. It’s much better to learn from other people’s mistakes.
I’ve thought to myself, “God, I’ve got this one. You take care of the important stuff.” But is that the relationship He wants? Not when He tells us, “…casting all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you” (1 Pet.5:7). There’s a caveat in the preceding verse that often stands in our way, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.” Can I see a show of hands? How many of us like the idea of humbling ourselves? I didn’t raise mine either. Ask yourself, “Doesn’t learning anything require humility?” It means admitting that I don’t know everything. What could be better than learning to obey God?
We spend tons of money…
to “improve” ourselves. We go to gyms, buy the latest fashion, eat trendy food. And in themselves, there’s nothing wrong with those things. But hear what Paul tells the younger Timothy, “for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8)
I believe the Israelites’ hesitancy to call on God was due to the guilt they felt over their disobedience. Here’s a thought, a challenge. Rather than wait to call on God, why not keep the relationship fresh? Why not keep our sin account short, as in, don’t put off dealing with it? Repent. The longer we wait, the more likely God’s attention-getting measures will be harsh, harsher, then harshest.
You say, that sounds good…
but how do I do it? Start with reading the Bible. The Psalmist says, “Establish Your Word to Your servant as that which produces reverence for You.” (Ps. 119:38) You don’t get to know anyone without spending time with them. God is no different. You don’t learn to revere Him without knowing Him. Thankfully, He gave us the Christian user’s guide. Spending time in His Word is the best way to know Him. It’s the ONLY source of truth cover to cover that will last throughout eternity. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.” (Mark 13:31) In addition to reading, we need to spend time talking not “to” God, but “with” God. We won’t hear Him audibly. But He speaks clearly and sometimes loudly to our spirit. After all, He lives in us if we’ve surrendered our lives to Jesus Christ. If you haven’t, check out the “Steps to Salvation” tab on this website.
One final thought:
DON’T WAIT. It’s later than you think. You can’t spend tomorrow. As always, thanks for coming.