Pursuing Stuff Ahead of God

Scripture: However, he must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire many horses, for the Lord has told you, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ He must not acquire many wives for himself so that his heart won’t go astray. He must not acquire very large amounts of silver and gold for himself. Deuteronomy 17:16-17

Observation: The Lord says that someday Israel will have a king, but there are things the king must not do. All of these are things typical kings do - among other ways of making oneself 'rich' when they are in power - but God uses these three as an example. In reverse order, the things a king must not collect and hoard for themselves ...

-- Money, as this represents greed itself and eventually the willingness to commit sin, create hardships for others, and focus your life's work on comfort instead of God.

-- Many wives, as this creates a division of the heart and forces one to provide attentions to many other family matters and personal issues, minimizing attention to God.

-- Horses, the key to military might, which therefore is about seeking both power and protection from worldly or external sources instead of from God.

In other words, the three examples of what a king must not do are all examples of one lesson ... all people must keep God as the foremost focus of their lives.

Application: I spend most of my waking time working a job in order to secure the money my family needs. I spend significant thought time considering and worrying about home and life issues. In all cases, I pursue security through various ways of finding either authority or protection.

While I try to pray for these things, and thank God for them when they arrive, I must be careful of pursing all these things instead of - not through or by - the Lord. I know the Lord provides for me. This must remain foremost in my mind and my heart and my soul. I do not collect riches, power, or worldly activities on my own. The Lord grants me what he determines I will have, he protects me and my family as his will decides, and he allows me to enjoy his creation and created people. These are not mine to pursue, but mine to receive - or not - as God allows and provides.

Prayer: Father, Abba, you are my provider. Jehovah Jireh! All I have is by you and from you, and thus it is for you. May I seek a humble understanding of your great love that has provided me with a wonderful life, and loving family, and the provisions we need to live every day. Amen.