Revelation 3:17 “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

One of the first requirements to receiving anything properly is to recognize you need it. This is true on almost every level in almost every circumstance. When things come too easily, we tend to take them for granted, to feel entitled to them, and that becomes a major problem. We are actually very improbable beings, living on a very improbable planet. If any of a vast number of factors were even the tiniest bit off, the earth as we know it, not to mention the human race, would not exist. The more scientists research and discover, the clearer it is that intelligent design is the only logical conclusion for how we happen to be here. The problem is, we are largely blind to that reality, and so tend to think “The universe owes me.” No such thing! Our very existence is by God’s will and grace, and the better we realize that, the better off we are. That was precisely the issue with the church at Laodicea. For as long as I can remember, many preachers have recognized the modern Church, and particularly the American Church, in these verses. We take things for granted that our brothers and sisters in Nigeria, China, India, North Korea, and numbers of other places would be thrilled and grateful to have. Things like the ability to gather without being attacked, to sing hymns to God boldly and openly, to proclaim the name of Jesus without losing your job, your freedom, or even your life. When we are in the middle of abundance, we fail to recognize it. Like has been said, fish don’t know they are wet! Someone with a major respiratory issue knows the value of a breath of air, but lacking that, we take air totally for granted. That’s perhaps the biggest reason God allows trials in our lives. If we had no difficulties, we would have no appreciation for the total abundance of good things He pours out on us.

This has been an issue for me all my life. I’m writing my autobiography, and I am amazed at the incredible abundance of the grace God has poured out on me. Have I always recognized and appreciated it? Not by any means! It’s interesting that as the issues of aging come on me, I recognize how nice it was that I used to be able to do the things that are now difficult. I am still in amazingly good health for my age, but I’m certainly no longer in my 20s, 30s, or even 60s. That’s not to say I’m to take aging lying down, so to speak, but it is to say I’m to be grateful for everything the Lord enables me to do. I’m certainly not to turn into a “grumpy old man,” as I am sometimes aware I have the danger of doing. I am increasingly aware of my total dependence on God, and that’s a very good thing indeed. I am to receive each day, each moment, as a gift from my Creator, and use it as He intends. That will be the path of greatest blessing and satisfaction for me, and glory for Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. It’s a little ironic that I need it! I am increasingly aware of my own weakness and foolishness, and that’s a very good thing. Help me operate consistently in conscious, grateful dependence on You, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!