Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Gratitude – Numbers 11:4 – Began To Crave – Growing As Disciples
The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost–also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” Numbers 11:4-6 (NIV)
Craving
I can relate. You can relate to what? I can relate to craving more. I have been dissatisfied. I have been ungrateful and unthankful for what I have been given. I have made the mistake of continually craving more. I have found myself ensnared in a continual worldly and sinful craving for more. I have said to myself, “I will be happy when…” Or I have said, “wasn’t I happy then…” Seldom have I been content and grateful and thankful in the here and now. That’s not good. No, it’s not.
Tell me why it is good to be content and grateful and thankful for what you have been given. Why is it unhelpful and unhealthy to always crave more? What has happened to you when have been consumed with a craving for more? I’ll start with the most obvious. Go ahead. It is impossible to be happy if you are continually ungrateful and unthankful. I have learned from experience that a craving for more never ends. When I have received something that I thought would make me happy there has always been something else just ahead that is slightly out of my reach. I have thought, “That is what I really need or that is what I really want, then I will finally be happy.” That kind of craving is like chasing a mirage that is on the road ahead. That kind of craving is like running on a treadmill leading nowhere that never gets shut off. Happiness will never be the end result of acquiring the things of this world. No, it will not.
What else have you learned about continually craving more? Continually craving more will put me on the wrong course in life. How so? This life is temporary. I brought nothing into this life. I will take nothing out of this life. Craving worldly wealth and acquiring material possessions is a waste of time and effort. I will never accomplish your purposes or fulfill your plans if my life is set on a course to acquire worldly wealth and material possessions. No, you will not. If I want to live a life that is pleasing to you, I will seek to store up treasure in heaven with you. How will you do that? I will go where you guide me. I will do what you ask of me. I will bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. With that I will be thankful. With that I will be grateful. With that I will be happy now and forever. Yes, you will. That will be very good.
Lord, I have not been content with what I have been given. I have craved more. No matter how much more I received, I still wanted more. This craving has not been good, helpful or healthy for me. Free me from these worldly and unrelenting, sinful cravings. Amen
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Love – Romans 8-35-39 – More Than Conquerors – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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