The Only thing Worse than Nostalgia is Amnesia

"The Only Thing Worse than Nostalgia is Amnesia."

I feel this quote is appropriate for the revelation found from the word of God in my life lately.

Lately, I've been struggling to trust God. I've been incredibly frustrated with Him. I thought, and at times still do believe, I knew what was best in my life. I thought I knew what my priorities were.

The Israelite's spent 40 years in the desert as a consequence of their forgetfulness of Gods blessing in their lives and to humble them.

God tested them for 40 years to see if they remained faithful.

Deuteronomy chapter 8:2-5 states this:

2 And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD. 4 Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. 5 You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you.

With this in mind, lets look at part of the story of the paralytic in Mark, chapter 2:5-12

5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, 11 “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 12 Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

There is a connection between the two although, at first, there may not seem like one.

I am going to be as bold as to say that God had to humble Israel so they would know their priority. First Spirit. First God. First His Kingdom, THEN all things will be added.

It is spoken from Christ in reference to Deuteronomy that "He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD".

We see this concept again in the story in Mark.

Jesus, when faced with the paralytic, did not immediately heal his imperfect, fleshly, body; instead, He first forgave the paralytics sin. Then, He proceeded to heal him.

This is a recurring theme and the main point I'm driving at: When we first seek in spirit, and are humbled by God, He is allowed to provide for us.

When we allow God to fix us in spirit by our seeking FIRST His kingdom, all other things will be added as a result.

The process of Israel being humbled in the desert while God provided for them also allowed for an appreciation for Gods faithfulness and provision. They sought Him, first, and their kingdom was added.

Dear God,
-I'm sorry that I've been so frustrated with you lately. You've been trying to discipline me, and discipline is a word I hate. So. Very. Much. But God, You are faithful. You humble me, You provide for me in Your divine time and in the right way. You are perfect. You are sovereign and I love You for that.

Forgive me, God, if I have to wander in the desert of humility for 40 years longer than the Israelites. I pray that You keep my feet from swelling. I pray that You keep my hope in You. I pray that You sustain me.

Fix my spirit, God. Fix my spirit, give me the motivation and vision to seek, first, Your kingdom. Give me the hope and confidence to believe that You will add all things after this according to Your perfect will.

I love You, Lord.
In Jesus' Loving and Compassionate name, Amen.

-Josh