June 16: Of Abundance, Dependence and Choice

1 Kings 15:25-17:24

Acts 10:23b-48

Psalm 134:1-3

Proverbs 17:9-11

Sometimes, I think we find it difficult to trust that God provides because we want Him to provide what we want.  We want comfort, ease, abundance, certainty.  We don't want just the next meal, we want the comfort of certainty - so we ask to already have every meal in our cupboard.  We don't just want the next mortgage payment, we want the comfort of certainty - so we ask to win the lottery, so as to have every mortgage payment, and the money to do anything we might want, in our bank accounts.  We ask for abundance, because we do NOT put our trust in God - we put our trust in the abundance we ask God to provide, and when we have it, we no longer feel compelled to obey God.

The Old Testament reading today is particularly instructive in this regard.  In the first half of the reading, we see a succession of men who aspired to the abundance of the throne - not so they could trust the God Who put them there, but - as their actions so abundantly demonstrated - so they could disregard Him.  And in every instance documented, the abundance turned to disaster.  And the kings died.  

Contrast that with Elijah.  In a time of drought, God provided according to His plans.  And so while the brook never turned into a raging river, there was enough water.  And while not only was the cupboard bare, there was NO cupboard to fill, Elijah had enough to eat…until it no longer suited God's plans to have Elijah in the Kerith Ravine.  Then the water ran out…and God provided again, this time directing him to the widows in Zarepath, where again there was no cupboard, much less an abundance of food to fill it.  But there, God made sure there was enough oil and flour so their needs were met.  And Elijah lived - obediently and fruitfully, according to God's will.  

The lesson to be learned: abundance is no security.  Perversely in the world's eyes, dependence is.  Abundance runs out.  Dependence on the Lord taps us into his limitless provision.  Abundance demands we be in control.  Dependence concedes our inadequacy to the task, and surrenders to God.

Elijah lived.  He may not have had neither mansion nor full cupboard, neither bed nor roof like those kings did.  But where those kings all died after a fruitless life, he had enough to live, and he enjoyed a fruitful life.  

Put this way, the choice is obvious.  In the context of our humanity, it is still difficult.  So Father, we turn to You.  As we prayed last week, unless You build the house…indeed, unless You build our hearts, in vain do the builders build.  Teach us that full cupboards and rich bank accounts are not solid anchors for our lives.  Instead, teach us to seek out the true security of relationship with You and dependence on Your limitless provision. In Jesus's name we pray.