“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8)
Friends, this is a verse that we often repeat—but when we do, are we fully convinced of our contentment in the Lord? Can we say confidently that we have given up all our worldly desires and have turned to God alone for our source of everlasting joy?
Isaias’s message on Micah 2:1-5 was a timely reminder that the sin of covetousness should not be taken lightly. What is covetousness? A lack of contentment in God paired with an insatiable desire to be pleased with something (or someone) that does not belong to us. “You shall not covet,” says the Lord (Exodus 20:17). But these oppressors in Israel have not only blatantly disobeyed God’s command; they have twisted their very legal system so as to make their wicked actions just in the eyes of the law. They have orchestrated opportunities to abuse, seize, and steal for their personal gain. They thirst for satisfaction in land and inheritance, having forgotten their Maker and Master––the only One able to quench that thirst.
Just like all wickedness, God is absolutely intolerant of covetousness (Isaiah 10:1-2; Ephesians 5:5). It robs Him of rightful worship and mocks His sovereignty and provision over His people. And Micah shows us that just like all wickedness, God’s judgment is upon that sin. God has a plan, too—a plan of disaster that will humiliate His people. A day is coming where God will give land to the Assyrians (a pagan people!), and the men of Israel “will have none to cast the line by lot in the assembly of the LORD.” As the rich oppressors took from the poor, so God will take back that which He gave as judgment on the nation.
We look at this passage and praise God for His righteousness and justice, but how foolish of us to think that we are any better than these ruthless oppressors! All of us are guilty of wanting what belongs to someone else, and when we covet, we are saying to God that He is not worthy of our utmost praise and worship. We are displaying our discontentment with God and all that He has given us.
But God did not send His only Son to die for us to be dissatisfied with Him.
God could take away all our material possessions, even our very lives––and that would not contradict His righteousness, simply because we are wretched sinners who deserve death. Yet He has kept us alive––and not only that, He has offered us eternal life, a life that infinitely surpasses that of our lives on earth. What reason do we have not to give thanks to Him who has set us free from the chains of death? What reason do we have to be discontent? What reason do we have to covet the fleeting pleasures of this world?
We have none. God has given us all we need through His Son.
The gospel has revealed to us the breathtaking glory and loveliness of God, and in so doing, it has lured our hearts away from temporary things and has left us enthralled by Him instead––we must live in a way that reflects this! Let us give thanks; let us sing praise; let us be fully convinced that absolutely nothing should rob us of the joy we have in our God who redeemed us.
“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
11.25.2020 Fall 2020 Week Seven
Christine Grace Pamplona
← All Posts