Day 183
Psalm 34
"0 fear the Lord, ye his saints for there is no want to them that fear him."
The psalmist said there is no want to those who fear the Lord. Let us examine our lives. Is there any want? If there is, we must do one of two things. Either we need to make an adjustment where our fear of God is concerned, or we need to exercise patience, as our wants are being satisfied. The hard fact is there is no want to them who fear Him. God has provided many things for us that we can never earn by our works. However, our behavior can effect what is being released to us, because God is a good father.
As we respond to God's Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, our fear of the Lord will be evident by our conduct and attitude. Since there are varying degrees of respect, results may vary. Our wants can be partially satisfied, as God works in us to help us upgrade our respect. We may need to ask God about some of our wants that have not yet been satisfied, just so He can alert us to areas of disrespect in our lives that need to be corrected. Though we fear the Lord in general, we are all growing in respect for Him. Sometimes, unconsciously, our response to God about a particular thing may be out of order. As we are honest before Him, He can show us what needs to be corrected.
We must know that the Word of God abides for ever. He has exalted His Word above His name. It never changes. When we run into lack of any kind, we need to examine ourselves and not God's Word to see what we need to change. It does not mean we should condemn ourselves, but we should instead realize the Holy Spirit is at work in us and is pleased to assist us, as we grow in the grace of God. When He shows us something that needs to be adjusted or corrected, it is a time to be grateful, not sad or frustrated. God is not bothered by our shortcomings. He knows our frailty. That is why He has offered to help us. The problem arises only when we know clearly what needs to be done and refuse to do it.
We can use our wants to correct areas that need to be corrected. We can also use them to allow patience to go to work. James Chapter I tells that us when we allow patience to work properly in our lives, we end up wanting nothing.
When I think of wants yet unsatisfied, I will examine myself for areas that need to be corrected. I will allow patience to run its full course in me, causing me to want nothing when it is finished.