OVERCOMING BLESSINGS

The Israelites sought for a land that flowed with milk and honey. Generations of slavery served to increase their anticipation. The hardships associated with servitude would cease once they occupied the Promised Land. Oh what a happy day it must have been when they finally became the recipients of God's wonderful blessing!

Once their bellies were full and their hearts merry with new wine, they forgot God. It is recorded in Judges 3:7, "So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs." Hosea speaks of their ingratitude in this way. "When they had pasture, they were filled; they were filled and their heart was exalted; therefore they forgot Me" (Hosea 13:6). God blessed them above all peoples and they became thankless children.

As in Greek Mythology, the horn of plenty suckled Zeus; God has suckled these United States of America with the blessing of His cornucopia. How has America repaid Him? Its citizens have forgotten the principle upon which the founding fathers based the laws for this society. They have forgotten God and worshipped the gods of greed, fleshly lust, and power. They have offered up their children on bloody altars to these gods.

Christians are not exempt from this pestilence. God pours out blessing upon blessing, yet they seldom offer so much as a thank you.

It appears that blessings are not really blessings. The more God gives, the more we want. Everything must be convenient. If there is the least difficulty, we quit. Not only must there be gratification, it must be instantaneous. Electric lights, air-conditioning, padded pews, and warm water in the baptistery have become entitlements that are expected rather than appreciated.

What if God's blessings were to cease? How many Christians would remain faithful? Have God's blessings become an obstacle to overcome? Regretfully, this may indeed be the case. What needs to be done?

Those who receive God's blessings need to be thankful. "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15). "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name" (Psalms 100:4). They need to recognize that blessings from God are not entitlements but gifts.

By Glen Young

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