I read a story, when I was a kid, that described how to catch a raccoon. That you could drill a hole slightly larger than the diameter of a coin into a log and then drop a coin, or any shiny piece of metal, in. Raccoons evidently like shiny things and will attempt to reach in and grab it. Lucky for the coon if this was all there was to it but unfortunately, this isn’t the whole plan. You then hammer 2 nails into the log, one on either side of the hole, at an angle, just deep enough that they protrude into the hole. The crafty little guy, or gal, reaches in, and grabs its shiny prize. Here is the dilemma, if he doesn’t let go, his fist will cause him to be skewered and caught and if he lets go, he loses his prize. Hmmmm….
Do we get tripped up by cheap thrills and shiny things? Be honest. Short term, it’s nice and puts a smile on our face but long term it will leave us feeling empty. We need solid valuable treasures that last and help build a strong, spiritual foundation.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ~Matthew 6:19-20
‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be’…that means your mind and thoughts.. What you pour your time, money, and thoughts into is what you are building your foundation with. Read that again.
How many times in life do we grip onto something that is ‘desirable’ or seems to be a good thing, though it is hurting us?
How often do we question God’s goodness or His provision for our lives?
That maybe He’s holding out on us?
I have thought that..I have questioned God’s provision.
Every time I pursue a thought or dream that wasn’t from God.
Every time I don’t go to prayer when I’m upset.
Every time I doubt or worry.
Every time I overthink a problem to a point of exhaustion.
Is God holding back any good thing from His children?
NO, He is not.
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.” ~Psalm 84:11
OR
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” ~Matthew 7:7-11
Seek God, not the ‘shiny’ things of this world.
Here is an excerpt from I Chronicles 16, I challenge you to go read the whole chapter…it is a beautiful prayer of Thanksgiving by David.
“Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done,
His marvels and the judgments from His mouth,..”
~1 Chronicles 16:8-12
Nuggets of Gold 