Eyes of Faith

"Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said,

'We should go up and take possession of the land,

for we can certainly do it.'"

Numbers 13:30

God promised a land flowing with milk and honey.  I'm sure each Israelite formed a picture in their own mind of what that looked like.  Some probably expected abundant fruit, others looked forward to a land to call their own, while still others anticipated peace and prosperity.  Whatever they imagined, I'm sure they didn't expect what they actually received: A land abundantly filled with rich resources yet occupied by giant, powerful people.  It wasn't quite what they envisioned.

Its not so different with me.  I read of God's promise to bring good out of every situation, but my definition of "good" differs from God's.  Therefore, when God's good is delivered, I don't recognize it but label it as difficulty, hardship or impossibility.

This Christmas, let me take on eyes of faith.  As I celebrate the most generous gift of all delivered through the lowly birth of a babe who seemed to be anything but a king but in actuality was a Savior who rescued me from eternal death and ushered me into His kingdom as the precious child of a loving God, let me see the world through kingdom eyes.

Let me see things with an eternal perspective instead of expecting to receive my reward or blessings now.  Let me notice how God is growing me, using the hard times to transform my mind and heart.  And let me see how God's definition of good is so much better than mine.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the greatest promise ever made and the perfect example of how God's good came in an unexpected package.

Attitude of Gratitude

"Now the people complained about their hardships

in the hearing of the LORD,

and when he heard them

his anger was aroused.

Then fire from the LORD burned among them

and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp."

Numbers 11:1

Christmas is the time of year when hearts turn toward giving and we are more inclined to practice generosity, acts of kindness, and hospitality.  Unfortunately, it is also a time when a spirit of discontent can rise up as I focus on all the things I don't have but would like to acquire.

The Israelites possessed this same spirit of discontent and ingratitude, inciting the fierce anger of the Lord.  What was it about their attitudes that evoked such a response from our patient and generous God?

God's people were focused more on the hardships than on the blessings, on what was missing than on what was provided, and on how it could be better than on how good it already was.    In other words, they craved more than what God had provided, thus sending Him the message that His provision was not enough.  As a result, they completely missed the chance to acknowledge the miracle of God's deliverance and subsequent provision and refused to trust God in His continuing, sovereign plan.

I'm not so different.  I complain about my health, or my finances, or my sorry state, pointing out all the things that I think are wrong instead of noticing everything that is right.  God is displeased with my negative eyes that betray my lack of thankfulness to my Father who is faithful to give me all that I need.  (Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:32)

This Christmas, I want to take the message of Isaiah 43:18-19 to heart, leaving behind my low expectations based on my past experiences and instead look forward with gleeful anticipation to all that I believe God will do.  If I look, I will see His hand at work all around me, providing abundant blessings that I didn't expect. 

Instead of feeling sorry for myself for what I don't have, I choose to feel abundantly blessed for what I do have.  Everything I possess comes from God, so an attitude of gratitude is one that continually gives thanks to Him for His extravagant goodness.

As if to prove the point, God sent the gift of His precious Son as evidence of His abundant blessing upon me.   Jesus is the best example of God's great love for me and is the most extravagant gift of all. (Romans 5:8, Matthew 1:21)