I still remember the day – and the disappointment.
I was a poor seminary student, and I decided to splurge and buy a big shrimp po’boy at Glynn’s Drive-in in Bogalusa. I got the big one, so I could have leftovers. That first half (hot and fresh) was wonderful, and I looked forward to eating the second half later.
Then life happened, and I was not able to get back to that scrumptious po’boy for several days. Boy, was I ready for it! And then I bit into it, or rather I tried to bite into it. The bread had gotten so stale that it was like trying to bite into leather. I still was able to salvage the shrimp, but everything else was stale and nasty. Though it was my fault for waiting too long, I was still disappointed. Staleness can do that to you.
Sadly, a lot of people try to live off grace that has grown stale. They have not seen nor allowed God to move in their lives in recent years, so their only reality of God’s movement is in the distant past. After a while, they begin to think that it is ok to live with grace from the past instead of grace in the present.
Lamentations 3:23-24 says that God’s “mercies never end. They are new every morning…” He always is moving, and He wants us to experience it. God is ready to step into every situation, every crisis, and every moment. However, are we ready for it?
Many years ago when the Israelites were traveling through the wilderness, God miraculously provided daily food (manna) for them. However, He was insistent that they trust Him daily for it. We read in Exodus 16:4: “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will folly My instructions.’” Since they had not experienced God’s power and direction for many years before Moses showed up, God wanted them to realize that He is to be trusted – daily. And if they did not trust Him and hoarded up the food, it would get stale and nasty overnight.
What about you?
Have you realized that God wants to move in your life today? Have you realized that God does not want you to only live off His gifts from long ago? Have you realized that God wants you to trust Him today and every day?
I urge you to trust Him daily. Ask Him to move daily. Let Him show you His amazing grace today.
When Dr. Jay Cook is asked to share a little of himself; his reply is, “Good question. I ask it a lot.” His delight is sharing that he is a blessed man – married to a wonderful woman (Kristi Cook) – and awed by his two amazing kids (Jameson & Amelia Rose). He has served in ministry for over 30 years and loves to help others in any way he can. Jay is the Associational Missions Strategist for the Leake County Baptist Association, and a part of an amazing new church (3:16 church) in Canton, MS. He also helps other churches (as he is able) through revivals, conferences, or however God leads. He shares his thoughts of a man just trying to live for Jesus (and wanting to help others do the same) through his blog at Dr. Jay Cook.
Image by CoPilot
I love Jay and Kristi Cook. They have pastored some wonderful churches in the years I’ve known them. Like Pascagoula’s First Baptist Church and Canton MS’s FBC. Kristi is an excellent writer too. Her latest book is on Philippians.