Numbers 17:8 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.
The next day, when Moses went into the Tabernacle to retrieve the rods, he found that the rod of the tribe of Levi with Aaron’s name on it had not only blossomed, but it had yielded fruit. God was leaving no doubt as to His approval of Aaron’s leadership … since no other rod had sprouted. But Aaron’s rod hadn’t only sprouted, it had put forth new buds. And not only had it put forth new buds, but it had made blossoms. And not only had it made blossoms, but it had produced almonds. And not only had it produced almonds, but it had yielded almonds that were ripe. God could have only caused a little green sprout to come out of the rod and that should have been evidence enough. But God had caused the rod to sprout, bud, blossom, produce and ripen! Whereas a little evidence should have been enough, God gave ample evidence so that there should be no doubt. But God knows us and He knows that despite all the evidence we may have before us, we doubt much more readily than we have faith. So He shows Himself to us abundantly.
We may say to God, “How do I know that You love me and will care for me?” And God could say only, “Well, look at how I care for the earth.” We may say to God, “I know You care for the earth, You keep it spinning and keep it watered … but how do I know that You love and care for me?” And God may say, “Look at how I care for the animals.” We may say to God, “I know You care for the animals, You cloth them in fur and feathers and give them food, but how do I know that You love and care for me?” And God may say, “Look how I sent My only Son to live among you.” And we may say to God, “I know Jesus lived among us, and without sin, teaching and healing and doing many miracles, but how do I know that You love and care for me?” And God may say, “Look how I sacrificed My only Son so that we can be together.” And we may say to God, “I know Jesus died on the cross for my sins, suffering everything that I should have suffered, but how do I know that You love and care for me?” And God may say, “Look how I raised My Son from the dead so that we can be together not just today, but forever.”
And then how many times will we go to God and say, “What else can You do for me? How else can You show me You love me?”
Is it not enough? If not, what is? How insulting it must be to God for us to tell Him that in addition to His giving His only Son for us, we require a cadillac, a flat screen television and a fat bank account! Psalm 37 is often quoted by those who claim that God desires to give us good things, and He does! Only, we need to understand that His good far exceeds our idea of good and has more to do with eternal things than temporal things.
Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
How long will Christians act like God has not done enough for us but must do more and more and more! I want this car or that dress or that television … God wouldn’t give me the desire for it if it wasn’t good! Man, don’t blame God for your worldly desires. Israel kept wanting things from Egypt, but God didn’t give them those things. He gave them His presence, protection and provision. Consider what you are asking God to give you before you ask. God may give you some of the earthly things you want, but I doubt He will when you take an attitude of discontentment towards Him. Abiding in Christ is about being satisfied in Christ alone, not needing anything more, yet desiring even more … not more of the world, but more of Him.
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