“Houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full.” – Deuteronomy 6:11
One of the benefits of being a follower of Christ is those times when we can experience a spiritual application to a common everyday event. It’s when a Biblical truth comes to mind when experiencing life’s moments.
We recently went to the beach to spend the whole day, hours. Having grown up going to the beach frequently every summer it has become a familiar place. A day at the beach starts early in the morning with a visit to the weather forecast and tide chart. Having these facts helps me chart my resting place, it’s quite the process, ask my wife. I spotted the perfect site, knowing the tide is coming in, having determined the water mark from last high tide and to top it off someone already dug out the sand to protect us from a rush of water and prevent anyone from sitting in front of us.
The beach became very crowded, and I watched as fellow beach goers began to fill empty spots. Within a couple of hours, the tide was faithful and made its way up the beach. We sat in comfort as everyone around us scattered for dry ground.
This simple observation of someone who dug a moat that I didn’t dig that protected and made our stay more enjoyable caused this spiritual application to pop into my mind of how often God provided for the children of Israel, “houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full—.
Sound silly? Well, my mind was fixed on all that God had done for me, His word that is hidden in my heart reminded me of all the things I couldn’t do for myself. My day was enriched as I thought about a 100-acre place in Whiting NJ that was already there when I wanted to come out of the bondage of addiction. I thought about the peace and joy I get to experience which surpasses all understanding, guarding my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
When was the last time an ordinary event caused you to apply a “Spiritual Application” and set your mind on things above, where Christ is?
We read the admonishment of Moses in the verses prior,
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob is married to Terri and serves with her as full-time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org
