This question developed when I was preparing for our Sunday School lesson on Judges 3. The Book of Judges reveals the repeated cycle of God’s Blessings and the people turning to sin. This is not an isolated cycle. We see it in the study of Exodus, and again after Soloman’s death, the Kingdom was divided, then conquered by the Syrians & Babylonians where the people suffered under brutal bondage.
In Judges 3, the people experienced brutal treatment from the Moabites. They cried out to God for help…to take away the pain…to be redeemed. God responded. “But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord again raised up a rescuer (Ehud) to save them.” Judges 3:15. Then after 80 years of peace the cycle repeats, “After Ehud’s death, the Israelites again did evil in the Lord’s sight. So, the Lord turned them over to King Jabin of Hazor, a Canaanite king.” Judges 4:1-2
We see this same cycle today. Life is good. We become complacent. We experience a good life and drift away from God. We get busy. Busy at work, with family, never missing a ball game, even doing church work…so busy we just do not have time or energy to be with Him…Jesus. Then things begin to happen. Life slams us against the wall, and we cry out to God, “Help me!”
When we studied Exodus, God redeeming His people out of Egypt, I recognized a pattern. Before the people began to grumble, complain, and rebel against God, they were ungrateful.
Gratefulness is a condition of the heart. We know from Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Our actions & behaviors are a product of our heart. Even the words that slip from our lips, “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
So, when we lay into the waitress for a messed-up meal, chew out a co-worker or a member of our family, or gossip about the pastor we need to ask ourselves… how can I be so ungrateful? I have never known a grateful heart to complain, grumble, or berate a person. And if that’s not enough, Mary has reminded me of what Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37 “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Ouch!
We as a people are drifting swiftly toward, “For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.” 2 Timothy 3:2 For the rest of the story read Revelation.
The problem was, and is, a heart issue. In Matthew 22:37 Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” He is either first in the desire of your heart or you are. God refuses to be second.
Good News! Jesus is coming!
