DANGER OF THE LIMITED LIFE

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness….Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall – I Corinthians 10: 5, 14

- God’s people lusted after evil things…
- God’s people ‘toyed’ with idolatry…
- God’s people committed fornication…
- God’s people tempted Christ…
- God’s people murmured…and were destroyed!

God hates any attempt or tendency to LIMIT HIM, because He is God! Nothing in all of creation is permitted to forbid or constrain God. Imagine someone who faces headlong the flow of molten lava from an erupting volcano! Trying to limit God could be more fatal! So, when anyone – through Sin – attempts to limit God, divine wrath answers; such a person becomes extremely limited in life!

Israel limited God by SIN, Disobedience and Refusal: They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law; (Psa.78:10). They knew; yet they sinned! There is a sense in which the “sin against knowledge” could be considered to be more serious than the sin of ignorance! Sin is a “life-limiter” and the limited life is a dangerous life. Wilful disobedience occurs in the presence of knowledge! Wilful disobedience is DEFIANCE, a challenge to God’s authority. Such disobedience automatically slams shut the windows of blessings and isolates the disobedient from God’s Presence.

Israel also limited God by FORGETFULNESS: And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. (Psa.78:11). Ingratitude breeds forgetfulness. Moreover, a heart that is more interested and attracted to “things” or “idols” is likely to forget to count blessings. God desires and demands that we remember His deeds and pass on the knowledge across generations: For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children (Psa.78:5).

Forgetfulness limits God. You need to “bank” God’s blessings? You must thankfully treasure His gifts.

PONDER: What prayers has God answered in your life this year? What has God done for you? What blessings has He bestowed to you?