Perhaps you’re like me and sometimes forget to take inventory of all the blessings that God sends your way.
In fact, I have to admit that I’ve had occasions when I didn’t thank God for His provision of something but then as soon as it disappeared or stopped working, I was on the prayer horn right away.
It is this sort of reality that reminds me of just how gracious our heavenly Father really is.
He loves us so much and wants to bless us.
He’s not doing so because He’s bored and likes throwing money or intercessory power around in order to feel better about Himself.
Rather, He does this with a purpose.
A Kingdom purpose.
An eternal purpose.
A gracious purpose.
A purpose that employs blessings as provision for people passing through the wilderness of this life enroute to the Promised Land.
God knows our tendency to take His generosity for granted.
That’s why it’s good that Nehemiah 9:21 is in the Bible.
“Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!”
This statement was part of a lengthy prayer offered by a group of Levites when thousands of Jews had assembled in Jerusalem after the city walls were rebuilt 2,500 years ago. You’ll want to read the entire prayer in Nehemiah 9, but the takeaway point from this particular verse was very clear to me.
He provides.
I abide.
And I provide praise.
It was an undeniable miracle that clothes lasted 40 years in the most inhospitable of environments.
And to walk around on rocks and sand for 40 years with no foot problems? Wow.
For those among the Hebrews who didn’t forfeit their privilege to enter the Promised Land (many did, but that’s another story), seeing God’s miraculous protection of fabric was an undeniable affirmation of faith.
It’s not as dramatic as a plague or the splitting of a sea, but it’s real nonetheless and something everybody experienced.
Please take inventory of your blessings and worship God for His gracious love before some of those blessings disappear.
For those blessings came with a purpose — to provide for you in this “wilderness” as you journey to the Promised Land of heaven.
Don’t we have a great God?
As always, I love you
Martin
