“There are three things that are never satisfied,
four that never say, ‘Enough!’:
the grave, the barren womb,
land, which is never satisfied with water,
and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’
We are still exploring our verses, Proverbs 30:15-16.
Today let's look at the second thing that "is never satisfied" -- the barren womb.
I believe that God gave us (women) something down deep in our souls that prepares us for our role as mothers. In most women there is a yearning to have a child. Many of us have experienced the joys (and sorrows) of giving birth to and raising children. Those who have not experienced it often desire it above all else.
Remember Samuel's mom? Her name was Hannah, and she implored the Almighty to bless her with a child. Let me refresh your memory of the story, for it is a poignant one:
Hannah was one of two wives of a man of Israel -- she was actually the one that he loved best. And he showed it by always giving her the choicest food, and doting on her. Now, obviously that didn't set well with the other wife, for though she had borne him children, she was not favored as much, and she resented it! So she picked and needled and irritated Hannah, and caused her much anguish and many tears. Her hubby encouraged her, but still her heart was heavy and she couldn't eat.
One day at worship, Hannah was overcome and prayed, weeping bitterly. She promised the Lord that if He would bless her with a son, she would dedicate him to His service. The rest of the story is a wonderful example of answered prayer: Hannah conceived and took her young son to live, work, and worship in the temple, and then to be a prophet of God and trusted advisor to kings.
I wrote all of that to give an example of the fierce longing of many women to bear children. In the same way, for most new Christians, there is a overwhelming desire to tell others of Christ's love -- to see others born again, as we have been. You see, a saved person wants to see others saved!
But how many of us have forgotten all about the Great Commission?
How long has it been since we told others of His love and His compassion? Our soul will be barren unless we obey His command and tell others about Him. I believe this ties in with the spiritual death that we spoke of yesterday. There are some Christians and some churches that seem dead. There is so little life and joy in them that they seem to have already "given up the ghost." Gone are the outreach efforts . . . missing in action are the sincere words to an unbeliever. I truly believe that an earnest desire to tell others about Him will breathe a spark of life where there is none!
We are still exploring our verses, Proverbs 30:15-16.
Today let's look at the second thing that "is never satisfied" -- the barren womb.
I believe that God gave us (women) something down deep in our souls that prepares us for our role as mothers. In most women there is a yearning to have a child. Many of us have experienced the joys (and sorrows) of giving birth to and raising children. Those who have not experienced it often desire it above all else.
Remember Samuel's mom? Her name was Hannah, and she implored the Almighty to bless her with a child. Let me refresh your memory of the story, for it is a poignant one:
Hannah was one of two wives of a man of Israel -- she was actually the one that he loved best. And he showed it by always giving her the choicest food, and doting on her. Now, obviously that didn't set well with the other wife, for though she had borne him children, she was not favored as much, and she resented it! So she picked and needled and irritated Hannah, and caused her much anguish and many tears. Her hubby encouraged her, but still her heart was heavy and she couldn't eat.
One day at worship, Hannah was overcome and prayed, weeping bitterly. She promised the Lord that if He would bless her with a son, she would dedicate him to His service. The rest of the story is a wonderful example of answered prayer: Hannah conceived and took her young son to live, work, and worship in the temple, and then to be a prophet of God and trusted advisor to kings.
I wrote all of that to give an example of the fierce longing of many women to bear children. In the same way, for most new Christians, there is a overwhelming desire to tell others of Christ's love -- to see others born again, as we have been. You see, a saved person wants to see others saved!
But how many of us have forgotten all about the Great Commission?
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20How long has it been since we witnessed to the power of the Lord in our lives? Have we prayed like Hannah and pleaded for the opportunity to share Him with others?
How long has it been since we told others of His love and His compassion? Our soul will be barren unless we obey His command and tell others about Him. I believe this ties in with the spiritual death that we spoke of yesterday. There are some Christians and some churches that seem dead. There is so little life and joy in them that they seem to have already "given up the ghost." Gone are the outreach efforts . . . missing in action are the sincere words to an unbeliever. I truly believe that an earnest desire to tell others about Him will breathe a spark of life where there is none!
Guilty as charged your honor.....
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! I love the correlation between the two desires - physical children and spiritual children.
ReplyDelete