“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”** Jonah 2:8 (NIV)**
Earthly riches cannot fully satisfy - they were never meant to. God cursed the ground yet we so often continue to “dig around” in it to discover our blessings there, Amen? The earth’s riches may glimmer in the eye but, as Watson states, “death shaves off the glitter”. Neither will they fully satisfy the longings of the needy soul – we will always be found wanting more and more. Try as hard we may, enough is never enough in seeking to satisfy with the earthly – we will always be found looking further still. Indeed, the soul of man is unquenchable until it finds the Living Water. Also, earthly things prove fruitless in comforting our troubled hearts when storms strike – always falling short of our expectations.
In choosing the things of this world as our portion, we will discover it both unfulfilling and perishing. Only in Jesus is found true, pure and lasting joy, satisfaction, contentment and peace. It is not Jesus plus something else. It is simply all Jesus. Everything else is “just a cherry on top”- so to speak - nice but not necessary. This is why He beckons all of us to “Come”. It is so easy for us to cling to worthless idols and forfeit God’s grace – missing out on His very best for our lives.
Our God seeks to lovingly care for us in this desert land of “barren and howling waste” – shielding us and guarding us as the “apple of His eye”. He looks upon us with love and favor. And He remains faithful to His promises as well as loving toward all He has made. And His eye is on us both for our good and for His glory - one never surpassing the other. Scripture tells us in Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV) “His works are perfect and all His ways are just.” He does no wrong and He is both upright and just. There is none like God, Who rides on the heavens to help us and Who is our refuge and strength at all times and particularly in our times of trouble. He lifts us up in His all powerful Hands so that we do not “strike our foot against a stone”. He causes us to stand because He is faithful and able to cause us to stand. And under His powerful wings we will find refuge. He is incomparable in His wisdom and power and love – and all else. Blessed is the one who has Jesus as Lord!
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth– he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.** Psalms 33:12-18 (NIV)**