The sin of complacency

Psalm 126: 1When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad.

Luke 14:16But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 18But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' 19And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' 20And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.'

In Psalm 126, the psalmist is remembering those times in the past when God had restored Zion and blessed it. There was joy and gladness in Zion because prosperity was there and great things had been done. However, the psalmist is asking God to do it again, to bring that restoration and fruitfulness back to Zion. In Luke 14, Jesus is having dinner with the Pharisees and one of them says, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" Jesus senses that these men are proud and assume that they are definitely going to Heaven to be in God's kingdom. However, Jesus tells them a parable to show that those who are even invited to the kingdom can be rejected by their own complacency and excuses.

God does amazing, miraculous things, over and over again and too soon, we get lazy, comfortable, and complacent. Then we ask God to show up again and perform miracles and great works. He seems to be our personal magician that we summon or call upon whenever we want to be helped, entertained, or blessed. God is not our own personal magician or clown. He wants me to be in a personal ongoing relationship with Him which will take work, effort, alertness, and engagement. I'm still taken aback by God's provision for our rent. I think I'm shocked. It seems so surreal. Hanzo and I prayed for God to provide money for the rent in a miraculous way and it happened. We have just enough for our rent because God provided through giving a word to Monica and Tony. It is amazing. I have to admit though, I'm not leaping with joy like I thought I would be. I think this is a sign that I am still holding onto some sin. I had an expectation of how God would provide and what was going to happen. However, God works in His ways which are higher than my ways and so now, I'm here...wanting to be filled and overflowing with joy but I have this comfortable, complacent attitude. It's like I wanted to see a huge illusion, but instead, God showed a card trick. I must admit, I need to repent and truly receive the joy of the Lord. He has provided and He didn't need to. He doesn't need to answer our prayers, but He does and He does so with love. I realize today, that I am like the Pharisees, expecting things from God. God wants me to be humble and to be filled with joy even when the miracles and wonders are not present. I must work on rejoicing because God is God and not because He does what I want Him to do.

Heavenly Father, I repent. I am so sorry for being so comfortable and complacent and for expecting things from You. Lord, thank You so much for providing for our rent. Lord, thank You for stretching my faith. And now, I also thank You for keeping me humble. Just because my faith is growing, doesn't mean I have anything to boast about. Lord, fill me with Your joy. Lord, I cast all my cares upon You. I will receive Your joy into my heart. I want to be faithful in rejoicing in Your goodness. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness. I love You. Show me how to be more in love with You. I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen.