Articles
Crave to the Grave?
Human nature can sometimes be all about craving and moving on to the next thing, sometimes so much so that we wind up back where we started. An amazing aspect of the Bible is just as human nature doesn’t change it doesn’t change along with it. The Bible is always beside mankind just waiting to be a consistent and constant source of guidance to those who seek it. Every generation has its nonbelievers. Such as the Pharisees, are you looking for a cinch in God’s armor or consistently doubting and questioning faith like them?
It is not a sin to have a fleeting question or moment of doubt and turn to God for the answer or to get a spiritual confidence boost in Him. It is sinful, however, to complain about blessings from Heaven and test God as though questioning His commitment and love. The Israelites did this in Numbers 11 when they begged for meat so they wouldn’t have to eat manna. Their complaint was not about food, but rather a consistent doubt of God being able to provide in a variety of abundance. If their complaint had been not about manna, it would have been about quail or whatever they were eating at the time. God was already providing the blessings of manna and water in abundance. But they were craving and wanted to move on to the next blessing instead of appreciating the blessings they had already. Verse 5 proves this when the Israelites say the fish they ate in Egypt cost them nothing, when in fact slavery and persecution was the price.
As the Israelites, are our cravings for meat quelling our taste for the bread of life in our hearts? Losing a blessing will certainly remind a person of their appreciation for that blessing. This sentiment is a common result when experiencing physical loss of life. Try to think of how much bigger that regret will be when it comes to experiencing eternal loss of life. C.S. Lewis when talking about mankind’s desires mentions how humans are creatures that are far too easily pleased. Due to this, C.S. Lewis explains that mankind often lets down the Lord because that the desires of mankind are not too strong rather too weak. The world is going to try to have people so distracted from desires that by the time Sunday comes around the question is asked, “Where did I put my Bible?” The irony that is found in that question is the Bible is exactly where the desires of your heart should be found.
The roots to many desires of the heart can be boiled down to things like comfort, peace, belonging, purpose, and identity. Aligning the heart with Godliness is when you will find these heartfelt desires in the blessings that you already have. That is true contentment. Reread Jesus’ example of a prayer to God in Matthew 6:9-15 and reflect on the confidence behind verse 11. Contentment and fulfillment do not come from seeking desires through the world. Instead it comes from realizing the daily blessings we have and recognizing, as well as loving the God who bestows them.
Inspired by: Matthew 11; Numbers 11; James 1:21-27; Matthew 6:9-15; 1 Peter 1:22-2:10; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-4:3; Psalm 37:4; 1 Timothy 6:3-10; John 6:48-51
