DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE REAL THING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE REAL THING

"Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, and he said to them, 'Set your hearts to all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe – the words of this law. For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.' " (Deuteronomy 32:45-47)

Coca Cola used to have the ad that pitched: "It's the real thing." The real what? Real empty sugar? Following God's way is not empty or futile. It is not a bunch of empty promises. It is a sure thing.

It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that it is vain to serve the Lord. We look at the ungodly and see them living the good life, and are tempted to think that that is real living, when in reality, it is an empty life.

The Psalmist struggled with this. Asaph, the writer, said, "Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Psalm 73:1-3). He went on to fret that they don't seem to suffer in death, they seem to have no troubles, they have more abundance than any heart could desire. They scoff and speak wickedly, speaking lofty things against the heavens. They are at ease and increase in riches (vss. 5-13). His heart was vexed and grieved (vs. 21) until he went into the sanctuary and he understood their end. He understood that those who are far from God shall perish. He ends his musings with this: "It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works" (vs. 27-28).

Serving God is the real life. Everything else is a mirage, a fantasy that appears to be full and rewarding but in reality is emptiness. It may be look good, but it has no promise for the future eternal life. James wrote, "Let the rich (glory) in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes" (James 1:10-11). It looks good but it will perish. Peter echoed this when he wrote, "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever" (I Peter 1:24-25).

It is a fool with a mental illness who lives in fantasy land, thinking that the good life will go on forever. It is a wise man who understands that this life is passing, and reality is eternal. Serving God is not futile or empty. It is the real thing.

Love, Dad