Christian Complacency

Verse of the day: Joshua 5:12 Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.

As God’s children, we can get so used to how God takes care of us that we become complacent in our attitude towards Him. I remember many days in the past when God provided for me, and my family, in ways that were simply amazing and out of the ordinary that proved, without any doubt, that it came from God. We would praise God and celebrate His provision. Today He still does it, but I have to remind myself continually that ALL provision, regardless of how extra-ordinary or ordinary the manner by which it comes, is from the Lord. Jesus promised that all our needs will be met if we seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:25-34). In this instance, once the Israelites were providentially provided for, using the food that was grown by those whom God was taking the land from, the manna (food of angels) that had been supernaturally supplied ceased. Yet, the fact that they had plenty of corn to feed the lot of them was still an amazing act of provision by the Lord. It is very easy for us to begin a journey down that slippery slope of failing to continually thank God for our provision. Why does this happen? It happens because we become self-sufficient, and that self-sufficiency turns into complacency, where we become almost smug about our ability to provide for ourselves, and our families. God blesses us by allowing us to advance at work, and maybe earn more money, but we forget that our talents and abilities came from God. We forget that each day we take a breath and are healthy enough to go to work is because of God’s grace. Everything we are provided with, regardless of how great or small, regardless of how it came to us, came by way of God’s provision. We must not only thank God when He provides in ways we deem supernatural, but also in times when our provision comes in seemingly ordinary ways. God’s provision can come from many avenues. In the case of the Israelites, God used the corn grown by the Canaanites. The Apostle Paul praised the Philippian Church for the provision God provided him through them (Philippians 4). Some of us live in places where we can buy food and store it, and have for the coming days, if the Lord tarries or does not take us home. However, there are still places in the world where Christians must literally pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11). I find that Christians who live in these places do not forget to thank God daily because they have to depend on God’s provision from day to day; whereas we who live in places where we can store and hoard have to be more diligent about not becoming complacent. This portion of Scripture is a wonderful reminder that God provides for us regardless of our circumstances, and does it in various ways. The Israelites did not have jobs or homes. Yet, God provided them with food and shelter, much as He does for the birds of the air (Matthew 6). The Word of God tells us that neither their garments nor their sandals wore out in Deuteronomy 29:5, “And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet.” God may choose to provide what we need by allowing the things we have to last us beyond the years they were made to last. Sadly, too many of God’s children have become covetous and bought into the world’s philosophy that new is better, only to create financial woes for themselves over things they really did not need. Let us not become complacent Christians (or covetous), but be people who are thankful in all things, for all things, and appreciate what God provides for us, even when it comes by “ordinary” means.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).