SHORT-SIGHTED
There are some songs or phrases that just stick. You know what I’m talking about; a refrain, a play on words, or a timeless truth spoken cleverly is easy to remember.
Years ago, the youth of Peace performed a musical recounting the deliverance of God’s people from slavery in Egypt and their lo-o-ng trip in the wilderness. I don’t remember the title of the musical. I don’t remember the words of the song. I don’t even remember the name of the song. But I remember the last phrase of that song.
The song was a series of complaints. We’re hungry! We’re thirsty! We’re tired! And God, when You do provide . . . well, the menu is boring. What’s for breakfast? For lunch? For dinner? Manna, manna, and more manna? As the song continues, the people acknowledge God’s provision. Yes, Lord, You’ve provided for us. You gave us water to drink and manna to eat. It’s true, our sandals are wearing well. Then comes the abrupt ending to the song: “But what have You done for us lately?”
We’re like that aren’t we? We are forgetful by nature.
Reading through the Easter story in the book of John, I marveled at the forgetfulness of Jesus’ followers. I admit, I would be no different. In fact, I can’t blame them. Caught up in the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, I’m sure their minds were reeling! It makes sense, doesn’t it, that they couldn’t think of anything but what they had just experienced. The memories of Jesus arrested, on trial, and nailed to the cross were fresh in their minds. The regrets were countless. The images unforgettable. The fears tangible.
So, we can understand – when Mary Magdalene came running into the room early in the morning with news that the grave stone in front of Jesus’ tomb had been rolled away – that Peter and John had to go see for themselves. We can understand the questions, the concerns, the speculation that must have been racing through their minds as they ran to the tomb. We can understand John’s reluctance to enter as he hesitatingly peered into the tomb. We might marvel at Peter’s boldness as he breathlessly ran into the grave. It’s no mystery that they would wonder what was happening.
Of course, they remembered that Jesus had told them – not once – but over and over, again, that He would suffer many things and be killed. But they had forgotten the most important part of the story. John writes about himself in the third person, “He saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead.” The latest news distracted them from the best news.
Oh, how often we forget, too! We encounter a problem and we are quick to forget the times when Jesus pulled us through. We are in need and we quickly forget the times when God provided. We imagine the worst and forget the how God has blessed. We are tempted to worry and forget that God offers peace. It’s as though we are saying, “God, you’ve blessed me, I know. But what have you done for me lately?!”
How blessed we are that we have a patient, long-suffering Lord who understands our short-sightedness. He is truly long-suffering. Why else would He repeat His promises so often? “Lo, I am with you always.” “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “I the Lord am with you wherever you go.” And I could go on and on and on!
May our God of peace remind you again today how incredibly much He loves you!
In HIM!
Pastor Tim
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am you God!”
-Your Heavenly Father
