Sand and God's Abundance

Vacation is always a great time to relax, to go someplace that you do not usually get to on a regular basis, and to experience a time of rejuvenation.  Occasionally when my wife and I go to Florida for a bit of relaxation we try to get to the ocean so we can enjoy the beach.   As we walk up and down the beaches I am impressed by the sand.  There is so much of it, and it seems to extend for unending miles ahead of us. Multiply the sand on the beach on which we are walking plus the hundreds of beaches around the world.  Obviously there is lots of sand.

When I think of beaches, I remember that the sand was created by God; but I’m also aware that He refers to sand when He wants to describe something that is great in number.  For example, He told Abraham, “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore” (Genesis 22:17).  When the Israeli judge Gideon fought for God, his enemies had many camels.  Scripture describes it this way, “Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore” (Judges 7:12).  Sand reminds me of abundance.  And when I think of abundance I’m reminded that God provides for you and me in abundant ways.  Scripture says that God gives us:

Blessings – “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8)

Joy, Peace and Hope – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Grace – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

Our Needs – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)

Love and Faithfulness – “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).

Abundant Life – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

The Apostle Paul sums up his thoughts about what God does for us in abundant measure with these words, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).  I am thankful for God’s wonderful provisions for us that come in abundant measure including His spiritual blessings, His grace, and His miraculous power.  Aren’t you thankful for God’s abundance in the things He does for us?

Our Biblical Responsibility

Have you ever wondered what it is that God wants you and me to do?  Many things are identified in the Bible concerning how a person ought to live, but the prophet Micah summarizes God’s desire when he writes, “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Thee three commands identified in this verse are: (1) To act justly, (2) To love mercy, and (3) To walk humbly with God.  So, what do these commands mean for ordinary people like you and me?

·        First, to “act justly” is to follow the golden rule; it is to act in a fair way towards other people and treat them in the same manner that you would want to be treated.  In other words, we are to do what is right by everyone. 

·        Second, to “love mercy” is to be kind, gracious and compassionate towards all people.  Not only are we to show mercy but we are to delight in participating in this kind of action wherever we are.

·        Third, to “walk humbly” is to recognize who God is and endeavor to be in constant fellowship with Him.  This happens through the reading of the Bible (which is God’s Word to us) and meditating on what He says.  Charles Spurgeon, an English Baptist preacher said, “Humility must be in the heart, and then it will come out spontaneously as the outflow of life in every act that a man performs."

Everything in our lives – whether thought, word or deed – should all bring honor and glory to God, build up other people, and further the cause of Christ.  So, the question each of us must ask ourselves is “Where am I when it comes to the actions of justice, mercy and humility?  Do I act justly by treating everyone fairly?  Do I delight at reaching out to others and showing the love of Christ in an encouraging way?  Do the motivations of my heart and my daily actions reveal that I walk humbly with the Lord?

Are you taking your biblical responsibility seriously?