Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Week Twenty-Four - Short-changed


Are you satisfied with your Christian life? Or are you short-changing yourself by merely reading about God, and missing out on knowing His ways? There is a difference! You can see it when you compare Moses and the children of Israel.

Psalm 103:7 reads, "He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel."

The Israelites saw and witnessed God's miracles - His acts. They walked across the dry Red Sea just as Moses did. They ate the manna and quail from heaven even as Moses. But they were content to receive God's provision without ever knowing God Himself. They short-changed themselves. 

Are we, like the Israelites, content to experience God's activity without ever coming to know Him personally? Are we recipients of answered prayer, yet we have not come to know the Provider? Are we blessed by God's providential care over our families, homes, and jobs, yet satisfied not personally knowing the One from whom the blessings come? Do we benefit from God's protection, yet not acquainted with the Protector?

Such an attitude seems so selfish and dishonoring. It is presumptuous and disregarding. How would we feel if our children treated us the way we treat God? How much are we missing out on if we remain as bystanders snatching crumbs from the table when the Master wants a closer relationship?

Moses saw beyond the provision of God to the person of God. He knew God's ways. He wasn't content with only God's power. If he had been, he could have accepted the presence of an angel and been victorious in his efforts. But Moses wanted to experience more. He wanted to know God Himself, not just see God's activity.

How about you? Are you plodding along oblivious to the fact that the Master of all creation wants to be your friend? Have you come to know God more personally as a result of your experiences with Him? Don't short-change yourself - get to know Him better!

Start with a consistent reading of your Bible, prayer, and humility. These three open your heart’s door. Then, obey what you read, get into church and see what God does from there. 


Adapted from Experienced God Day by Day by Henry Blackaby

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