The first year my Pastor husband was in seminary we had 4 jobs between the two of us to make ends meet. The second year we thankfully bumped down to 2 jobs. After seminary we added children to the mix and moved across several states; his job hours increased, and my job hours decreased. Five years later when we moved again, the cost of childcare was equal to what I could earn. We decided to live on one income, whatever my husband brought home, that would be it. We dove into tight budgeting, thrifty shopping, making do and doing without.
Our current culture is big on padding one’s resources. We are encouraged to get a side hustle,
donate plasma for pocket change, play the lottery and/or apply for yet another
credit card. The idea of making do or
doing without seems a bit un-American.
We’ve become consumed with ease and comfort and having it all.
1 Chronicles 16 Review
The Israelites had been living in the ease and comfort of
the Promised Land for some time, the land God had given them, blessing them
with abundance. In 1 Chronicles 16, we
read David’s Psalm of Thanksgiving. He is
celebrating the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and the wonder
of God dwelling in their midst. David
reveals four concepts that can help us focus on God and not the things of this
world. We’ve talked about three of them
over the last several weeks: giving God the credit; expressing joy through
gratitude and worship because God is in control; and knowing God
intimately. Today let’s investigate the
fourth concept: living within God’s boundaries.
Life Within God’s Boundaries
David mentions in 1 Chronicles 16:14 that God’s judgements
govern the whole earth, in verse 31 he declares that God reigns, and in verse
33 he tells us that God is coming to judge the earth. God is the one in control; God is the one who
sets the laws and the parameters for life.
Just like my husband and I had to live within a very distinct budget,
God sets distinct boundaries for our life with Him.
For many of us, the idea that someone has set limits for us
is annoying. We want to make our own
choices and determine our own fate. Perhaps the Israelites had a similar
struggle because David reminds them of God’s goodness. He directs them to remember God’s covenant
with them (v 15); he mentions God’s protection and provision (v18-22); and he
challenges them to proclaim God’s salvation every day (v23). God’s boundaries were
good for the Israelites. Abundance and
peace and freedom were found in the confines God set.
Center in on a Smaller View
Do you ever do wordsearches? I’ve discovered that words are easier to find
when I look at a small section of the puzzle or if I look for a small
combination of letters instead of the longer word. Breaking the puzzle down into a smaller
framework makes solving the puzzle easier.
Have you ever looked at things in your back yard or on a
hike through the macro setting on a camera?
The macro setting allows you to see objects closer. You get a better view, and a better photo of
the details found in a flower or an insect or a leaf.
There is something to be said about centering in on a
smaller area or idea. I think that’s a
bit what God is asking of us. When we
listen to Him and live life within the perimeter He sets, we are better able to
focus on Him. We begin to discover the wonder of who He is because we aren’t
distracted by all the things outside His boundary lines.
Rely on What You Have
When our children were young, and we were living on one
income, I became quite adept at finding free things to do within our community.
We were rarely lacking for anything fun.
A local park had a public water feature that was free to play in; another
park had a stream for wading; we made tents in the living room; hiked to a
picnic dinner; and slid down the stairs on a cushion. We learned to rely on what we had. When we
live within God’s boundaries, God is who we have, and we learn to rely on Him.
Living within God’s boundaries
enables us to see Him more clearly. Our focus narrows and becomes more direct;
we are not distracted by what the world says is significant. As we center on the details of who God is we
are held in wonder that He, God Almighty, dwells with us. We learn He is the one who saves us, who
delivers us, and we can rely on Him.
Live in Wonder that God Dwells with Us
David tells us in 1 Chronicles
16:34 that God is good. I pray that you
believe the boundary lines he draws for you are for your best. You can rest there. There
is wonder in knowing God dwells with us.
May you focus and truly see Him: give Him all the credit, express joy to
Him, know Him intimately and obediently live within the borders He sets for
you.
Splash Pad photo by Andrew
Seaman on Unsplash
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