When Life is Going Well…

I don’t know about you, but I’m less prone to seek the Lord when life is going well. I really like when life is going well. Who doesn’t? Especially when I feel comfort and security physically and financially. When my outward circumstances appear to be good, I even allow my thoughts and emotions to be driven by that. But…spiritually? Oh yeah, that part doesn’t seem to matter as much when everything else is well. Anyone else been there?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. We are in good company with other people throughout Scripture, like what the nation of Israel experienced in the Old Testament. It had been years and years of the Israelites making their way to the promised land, since they had left Egypt. They had grumbled their way through the journey, yet God still remained faithful to His covenant promise to them. They had also seen the Lord do some amazing things in their midst. Their moments of faith though, carried them to this moment. The journey appeared to be culminating to now. As they were overlooking their soon to be land, Moses gave a powerful sermon. He recounts all that the Lord had done for them, but then He gives them a warning. They were about to experience abundant blessings though, so why would they need a warning?

Deuteronomy 8:11-14

Be careful that you don’t forget the Lord your God by failing to keep his commands, ordinances, and statutes that I am giving you today. When you eat and are full, and build beautiful houses to live in, and your herds and flocks grow large, and your silver and gold multiply, and everything else you have increases, be careful that your heart doesn’t become proud and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.

What they were going to experience in this new land would simply be a gift of God’s grace. It would be easy for them to settle in their comfort and neglect the Lords faithfulness. And because they were human, they would at times.

The warning from Moses was very clear though: Do not let your heart become proud. Don’t forget the Lord.

Life on this side of Heaven is going to have days, months and years of abundant blessings and enjoyment. Yet, it will also have valleys, low moments, and severe suffering and grief. The questions to ask ourselves are: Do these things change who God is? When life is NOT going well outwardly, will we seek and thank the Lord for who He is, or will we only do this when all is great?

Back to the beginning of this blog…

I often allow myself to be driven with how things are circumstantially. However, the Biblical narrative teaches a different story. Be driven by your spiritual life first, and then trust that everything else has a purpose for the season you are in. God is sovereign over each season of our lives. He knows what we need and when we need it, and He is conforming us more into His image.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 

So, when life is going well, enjoy it, praise the Lord, thank Him, and don’t stop seeking Him. Humble yourself and recognize that you’re not in control, God is. And when life is not going well, praise the Lord, thank Him that He’s doing something in your heart, and don’t stop seeking Him. Easier said than done, but may this be our prayer!

Grace & Peace