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STT: Miracles

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Study tip tuesday water water everywhere miracles title graphic

“Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” – Mark 4:41

Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates His sovereignty through miraculous control over water. These water miracles reveal not only divine power over nature but also profound theological truths about God’s character, His redemptive purposes, and His relationship with His people.

Water from Rock: Provision in Impossible Places

One of the most striking water miracles occurs when God provides water from solid rock:

Miracle at Horeb/Massah

  • When Israel complained of thirst in the wilderness, God instructed Moses: “Strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink” (Exodus 17:6)
  • This miracle demonstrated God’s ability to provide in seemingly impossible circumstances
  • The people named the place Massah (testing) and Meribah (quarreling), marking their lack of faith despite the miracle

Miracle at Kadesh

  • Years later, a similar situation arose at Kadesh, where God instructed Moses to speak to the rock (Numbers 20:8)
  • Moses struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it, yet water still flowed abundantly
  • Though the miracle occurred, Moses’ disobedience in how he performed it prevented him from entering the Promised Land

Theological Significance

  • Paul reveals the deeper meaning: “The rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4)
  • This miracle foreshadowed how Christ, when struck, would become the source of living water
  • The abundant water from a seemingly barren source symbolized grace flowing from an unexpected place

Parting of Waters: Path Through the Impossible

Multiple times in Scripture, God miraculously parts waters to create paths for His people:

The Red Sea Crossing

  • When trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the sea, Moses stretched out his hand, and “the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land” (Exodus 14:21)
  • The Israelites passed through on dry ground while the waters formed walls on their right and left
  • When the Egyptians pursued, the waters returned to their normal course, destroying the enemy

The Jordan River Crossing

  • Under Joshua’s leadership, when the priests carrying the ark stepped into the Jordan, “the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap” (Joshua 3:16)
  • This miracle echoed the Red Sea crossing, connecting God’s past faithfulness with His present activity
  • The twelve memorial stones taken from the riverbed served as a lasting testimony to future generations

Elijah and Elisha’s Crossings

  • Elijah struck the Jordan with his cloak, and “the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground” (2 Kings 2:8)
  • After Elijah’s ascension, Elisha repeated the miracle, confirming the transfer of prophetic authority
  • This smaller-scale parting of waters connected these prophets to the Exodus tradition

Theological Significance

  • These miracles demonstrate God’s power over chaos (represented by water in ancient Near Eastern thought)
  • They reveal God’s commitment to making a way where there seems to be no way
  • The dry path through threatening waters symbolizes salvation itself—safe passage through what would otherwise destroy

Water into Wine: Transformation Miracle

Jesus’ first recorded miracle involved water’s transformation:

The Miracle at Cana

  • At a wedding feast in Cana, Jesus instructed servants to fill six stone water jars with water (John 2:7)
  • When drawn out, the water had become fine wine—better than what had been served earlier
  • This transformation occurred without any visible action or incantation from Jesus

Symbolic Significance

  • The water jars were used for “Jewish rites of purification” (John 2:6), connecting this miracle to the theme of old and new covenant
  • The transformation of purification water into celebratory wine symbolized the shift from law to grace
  • The abundance (approximately 120-180 gallons) represented the overflowing nature of Christ’s provision

Calming the Storm: Authority Over Chaotic Waters

Jesus demonstrated divine authority over threatening waters:

The Miracle on the Sea of Galilee

  • During a violent storm, Jesus was asleep in the boat while the disciples feared for their lives
  • When awakened, “he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39)
  • The disciples’ response—”Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”—indicates the theological significance of this miracle

Walking on Water

  • In a separate incident, Jesus approached the disciples’ boat by walking on the stormy sea (Matthew 14:25)
  • Peter briefly joined Jesus on the water before his faith faltered
  • Jesus’ command over the water that threatened to engulf Peter demonstrated His power to save

Theological Significance

  • These miracles echo Old Testament descriptions of God’s power over chaotic waters: “You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them” (Psalm 89:9)
  • Jesus’ authority over water revealed His divine identity
  • The calming of external chaos parallels Jesus’ ability to calm internal turmoil

Healing Waters: Restoration Through Water

Several miracles involve healing through water:

The Pool of Bethesda

  • Jesus healed a paralyzed man who had waited 38 years beside the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9)
  • Popular belief held that an angel would stir the waters, healing the first person to enter
  • Jesus bypassed the water entirely, demonstrating His superior healing power

The Pool of Siloam

  • Jesus healed a man born blind by applying mud to his eyes and instructing him to “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (John 9:7)
  • The man’s obedience in washing resulted in complete restoration of sight
  • The name “Siloam” means “sent,” connecting this healing water to Jesus as the One sent by the Father

Naaman’s Healing

  • Elisha instructed Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan River to be cleansed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:10)
  • Naaman initially resisted, expecting a more dramatic healing ritual
  • His eventual obedience resulted in skin “like the flesh of a little child” (2 Kings 5:14)

Theological Significance

  • These healing waters demonstrate that restoration often comes through simple obedience rather than spectacular displays
  • The contrast between expected and actual methods of healing challenges human preconceptions about divine activity
  • Water becomes not magical in itself but a medium through which faith is expressed and God’s power manifested

When you encounter water miracles in your Bible reading, consider:

  1. Divine revelation: What aspect of God’s character does this miracle reveal?
  2. Human response: How do witnesses react to this demonstration of power over water?
  3. Symbolic meaning: What spiritual truth might this water miracle illustrate?
  4. New Testament connections: How does this miracle connect to Christ’s person and work?

Water miracles in Scripture remind us that the same God who controls the physical elements holds sovereign power over all circumstances in our lives. These miracles serve as divine signatures throughout biblical history.

STT: Cleansing

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study tip tuesdat Water Water Everywhere Cleansing title graphic

“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.” – Ezekiel 36:25

Throughout Scripture, water serves not only as a physical element but also as a central component in rituals that symbolize spiritual realities. From ceremonial washings to baptism, these water rituals reveal profound truths about purification, transition, and covenant relationship with God.

Ceremonial Washing in the Old Testament

The Mosaic Law established various water rituals for purification:

The Laver in the Tabernacle

  • God commanded Moses to make “a bronze basin with its bronze stand for washing” (Exodus 30:18)
  • Priests were required to wash their hands and feet before entering the tent of meeting: “They shall wash with water, so that they may not die” (Exodus 30:20)
  • This ritual washing symbolized the need for purity when approaching God’s presence
  • The physical cleansing represented spiritual preparation for sacred service

Purification from Uncleanness

  • Various conditions required ritual washing: contact with the dead (Numbers 19:11-13), bodily discharges (Leviticus 15), skin diseases (Leviticus 14:8-9)
  • The “water of cleansing” contained the ashes of a red heifer (Numbers 19:9)
  • These washings restored ceremonial cleanness and community participation
  • They established the principle that impurity is contagious but so is holiness

Ritual Immersion (Mikveh)

  • Though not explicitly commanded in the Torah, ritual immersion became a standard Jewish practice
  • Archaeological evidence shows mikvehs (ritual baths) were common in first-century Judaism
  • This practice formed the background for John’s baptism and early Christian baptism
  • Complete immersion symbolized total purification and renewal

John’s Baptism: A Transitional Water Ritual

John the Baptist introduced a new water ritual that bridged Old and New Testament concepts:

Baptism of Repentance

  • John proclaimed “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4)
  • Unlike ceremonial washings, this was a one-time ritual symbolizing a decisive turning from sin
  • John’s baptism was preparatory: “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me… will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11)

Public Declaration

  • People came “confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:6), making baptism a public acknowledgment
  • This public nature contrasted with private ceremonial washings
  • John’s baptism identified participants with the coming Messiah and His kingdom

Jesus’ Baptism as Endorsement

  • Jesus’ submission to John’s baptism validated this water ritual (Matthew 3:13-17)
  • Though sinless, Jesus identified with sinful humanity through this act
  • The Father’s voice and Spirit’s descent at Jesus’ baptism connected this water ritual with Trinitarian presence

Christian Baptism: The Ultimate Water Ritual

Building on these foundations, Christian baptism emerged as the definitive water ritual:

Symbol of Death and Resurrection

  • Paul explained: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4)
  • The immersion symbolized burial with Christ; emerging from the water represented resurrection
  • This symbolism transformed baptism from mere cleansing to identification with Christ’s redemptive work

Initiation into Community

  • At Pentecost, Peter instructed: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38)
  • Baptism marked entrance into the church community: “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13)
  • This communal aspect connected baptism to covenant identity

Outward Sign of Inward Reality

  • Peter clarified that baptism’s power lies not in “removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:21)
  • The physical ritual symbolizes the spiritual cleansing accomplished by Christ
  • Baptism serves as a “visible word” that dramatizes the gospel promise

Foot Washing: A Ritual of Humble Service

Jesus introduced another significant water ritual during the Last Supper:

Jesus’ Example

  • “He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (John 13:5)
  • This action inverted social hierarchy, as foot washing was typically performed by servants
  • Peter’s resistance revealed how countercultural this act was (John 13:8)

Symbolic Meaning

  • Jesus explained: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14)
  • This ritual symbolized humble service as the essence of Christian leadership
  • The water ritual became a tangible expression of Jesus’ teaching that “whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43)

Water Rituals in Prophetic Vision

The prophets envisioned future water rituals that would perfect what earlier rituals foreshadowed:

Ezekiel’s Vision of Sprinkling

  • “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses” (Ezekiel 36:25)
  • This prophetic water ritual is connected with spiritual transformation: “I will give you a new heart” (Ezekiel 36:26)
  • The emphasis shifts from external washing to internal renewal

Zechariah’s Fountain

  • “On that day there shall be a fountain opened… to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness” (Zechariah 13:1)
  • This eschatological water source represents the permanent availability of cleansing
  • The “fountain” imagery suggests abundance rather than scarcity of purification

Study Application

When you encounter water rituals in your Bible reading, consider:

  1. Historical context: How does this ritual relate to other water ceremonies of the time?
  2. Symbolic meaning: What spiritual reality does this water ritual represent?
  3. Theological significance: What does this ritual reveal about God’s holiness, human sin, or divine grace?
  4. Progressive revelation: How does this ritual build on previous water ceremonies or anticipate future ones?

Water rituals in Scripture remind us that physical actions can carry profound spiritual significance. These ceremonies engage our senses to teach truths that might otherwise remain abstract, helping us embody our faith through tangible expressions.

STT: Dew

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study Tip tuesday water water everywhere Dew title graphic

“I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily.” – Hosea 14:5

While floods and storms demonstrate God’s dramatic power, Scripture also reveals His gentle presence through more subtle forms of water. Dew and mist represent God’s quiet, often unnoticed provision and His refreshing presence that comes without human effort or fanfare.

Dew as Symbol of Divine Blessing

Throughout Scripture, dew represents God’s faithful, daily provision:

Dew as Daily Provision in the Wilderness

  • Manna, Israel’s wilderness food, appeared with the morning dew: “When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it” (Numbers 11:9)
  • This connection between dew and manna emphasized God’s consistent, daily care
  • The Israelites were instructed to gather manna early before the sun melted it, teaching dependence on God’s timely provision

Dew as Sign of Fertility and Abundance

  • Isaac’s blessing over Jacob included “the dew of heaven” (Genesis 27:28), representing agricultural prosperity
  • In ancient agricultural societies, dew was essential during dry seasons when rain was scarce
  • Moses blessed Joseph’s land with “the precious dew from heaven above” (Deuteronomy 33:13)

Dew as Metaphor for Divine Refreshment

  • David compared brotherly unity to “the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion” (Psalm 133:3)
  • The psalmist described God’s people as refreshed by “the dew of youth” (Psalm 110:3)
  • Proverbs states that the king’s favor is “like dew on the grass” (Proverbs 19:12)

Gideon’s Fleece: Dew as Confirmation

One of the most famous dew narratives involves Gideon seeking confirmation of God’s call:

Dew as Sign of Divine Selection

  • Gideon requested that God make dew fall only on a fleece while the ground remained dry (Judges 6:36-37)
  • Then he asked for the opposite sign—dry fleece, wet ground (Judges 6:39-40)
  • This controlled appearance of dew served as tangible evidence of God’s presence and purpose

The Significance of Gideon’s Request

  • Gideon’s request revealed both faith and doubt—he believed God could control the dew but needed reassurance
  • The miracle demonstrated God’s patience with human weakness and His willingness to provide confirmation
  • The precision of the sign (first only on the fleece, then everywhere except the fleece) showed God’s sovereign control over even the most subtle natural processes

Mist in Creation and Providence

Mist appears at significant moments in biblical narrative:

Mist in the Creation Account

  • “A mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground” (Genesis 2:6)
  • This pre-rain watering system represented God’s perfect provision in Eden
  • The mist suggests a gentle, harmonious relationship between heaven and earth before the fall

Mist as Divine Covering

  • God’s presence was often depicted with cloud or mist imagery
  • The tabernacle and temple were filled with a cloud representing God’s glory (Exodus 40:34-35, 1 Kings 8:10-11)
  • This misty manifestation both revealed and concealed God’s presence, making it approachable yet mysterious

The Absence of Dew as Judgment

Just as the presence of dew signified blessing, its absence indicated divine displeasure:

Elijah’s Prophecy

  • Elijah declared, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word” (1 Kings 17:1)
  • The withholding of both rain and dew represented complete agricultural devastation
  • This judgment targeted Baal worship, as Baal was believed to control both rain and dew

Haggai’s Warning

  • When the people neglected rebuilding the temple, Haggai proclaimed, “Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce” (Haggai 1:10)
  • The absence of dew served as a call to reprioritize spiritual matters
  • The promise of restored dew accompanied the call to renewed obedience

Dew in Spiritual Symbolism

Beyond its agricultural significance, dew carries rich spiritual symbolism:

Symbol of Resurrection and Renewal

  • Isaiah prophesied, “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light” (Isaiah 26:19)
  • This connects dew with resurrection and spiritual renewal
  • The morning appearance of dew symbolizes new beginnings and fresh starts

Symbol of God’s Word and Teaching

  • Moses said, “May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew” (Deuteronomy 32:2)
  • This imagery suggests that God’s word, like dew, brings gentle but essential nourishment
  • Unlike flooding rain, dew represents subtle but transformative spiritual influence

Symbol of the Holy Spirit’s Quiet Work

  • Hosea prophesied God saying, “I will be like the dew to Israel” (Hosea 14:5)
  • This metaphor depicts God’s refreshing presence coming quietly, almost imperceptibly
  • Unlike dramatic spiritual manifestations, dew represents the Spirit’s gentle, consistent work

Study Application

When you encounter dew and mist in your Bible reading, consider:

  1. Provision aspect: How does this subtle form of water represent God’s care?
  2. Timing element: Note that dew appears in the quiet of night and early morning—what might this teach about God’s timing?
  3. Effortless nature: Unlike wells that must be dug or water that must be carried, dew comes without human effort—what spiritual principle does this illustrate?
  4. Temporary quality: Dew evaporates quickly in sunlight—what might this teach about appreciating God’s daily mercies?

Dew and mist in Scripture remind us that God works not only through dramatic interventions but also through quiet, consistent provision that we might easily overlook. His refreshing presence often comes in the stillness, without fanfare or human striving.

STT: Wells

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Study tip Tuesday Water Water Everywhere Wells title graphic

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” – Isaiah 12:3

Throughout Scripture, wells and springs serve as more than mere water sources—they function as gathering places, sites of divine encounter, and powerful symbols of God’s provision and spiritual refreshment. These life-giving water sources reveal important patterns in God’s interaction with His people.

Wells as Meeting Places: Divine Appointments by Water

Scripture repeatedly uses wells as settings for pivotal encounters and life-changing meetings:

Abraham’s Servant and Rebekah

  • Abraham’s servant prayed for God’s guidance at a well outside the city of Nahor (Genesis 24:11-14)
  • Rebekah’s appearance and generous offer to water the camels served as divine confirmation
  • This well encounter led to the marriage that would continue the covenant lineage through Isaac

Jacob and Rachel

  • Jacob first met his future wife Rachel at a well in Haran (Genesis 29:1-12)
  • The well served as both a practical gathering place and a divinely appointed location for this significant meeting
  • Jacob’s rolling away of the stone covering the well demonstrated both his strength and his desire to serve Rachel

Moses and Zipporah

  • After fleeing Egypt, Moses defended the daughters of the priest of Midian at a well (Exodus 2:15-21)
  • This act of justice at the well led to Moses’ marriage to Zipporah and his forty-year sojourn in Midian
  • The well became the setting for Moses’ transition from Egyptian prince to shepherd, preparing him for his future role

Jesus at Jacob’s Well: The Living Water Encounter

Perhaps the most theologically significant well encounter occurs in John 4, where Jesus meets the Samaritan woman:

The Well as Bridge Across Divisions

  • Jacob’s well became the setting where Jesus crossed cultural, religious, and gender barriers
  • “Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (John 4:9), yet Jesus initiated conversation at this shared water source
  • The well represented common human need that transcended social divisions

The Well as Teaching Tool

  • Jesus used the physical well to introduce the concept of “living water” (John 4:10)
  • The woman’s focus on physical water (“Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep” – John 4:11) contrasted with Jesus’ offer of spiritual refreshment
  • Jesus revealed that true worship transcends physical locations: “neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem” (John 4:21)

The Well as Place of Revelation

  • At this well, Jesus explicitly revealed His messianic identity: “I who speak to you am he” (John 4:26)
  • The woman’s transformation from social outcast to evangelist began at this well
  • The entire town was impacted because of this single well encounter: “Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39)

Wells and Springs as Symbols of Blessing and Provision

Beyond their narrative function, wells and springs carry rich symbolic meaning:

Symbols of God’s Provision

  • In the wilderness, God provided water from the rock at Horeb, creating a spring in the desert (Exodus 17:1-7)
  • The Israelites sang, “Spring up, O well!” celebrating God’s provision (Numbers 21:17)
  • Psalm 84:6 speaks of those who “passing through the Valley of Baca make it a place of springs”

Symbols of Spiritual Refreshment

  • “The LORD will guide you continually… you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail” (Isaiah 58:11)
  • Proverbs describes wisdom as “a fountain of life” (Proverbs 16:22)
  • Jesus promised that from believers would flow “rivers of living water,” referring to the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39)

Symbols of Spiritual Heritage

  • Proverbs 5:15 instructs, “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well,” symbolizing faithfulness
  • Isaiah prophesied, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3)
  • Wells often represented family heritage and rights to the land in patriarchal narratives

Wells in Spiritual Warfare

Wells sometimes became focal points of conflict and restoration:

  • The Philistines stopped up the wells Abraham had dug, and Isaac had to re-dig them (Genesis 26:15-18)
  • Isaac named the wells the same names his father had given them, representing restoration of spiritual heritage
  • The stopping of wells symbolized spiritual opposition, while reopening them represented spiritual renewal

Study Application

When you encounter wells and springs in your Bible reading, consider:

  1. Relational significance: How does this well serve as a meeting place between people or between humans and God?
  2. Provision aspect: What does this water source reveal about God’s care for physical and spiritual needs?
  3. Symbolic meaning: Does this well represent heritage, spiritual refreshment, or something else?
  4. Conflict element: Is there a struggle over this water source, and what spiritual truth might that illustrate?

Wells in Scripture remind us that God often works at the places of our most basic human needs. The same God who provided physical water in desert places offers living water to satisfy our deepest spiritual thirst.

Abundance

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Abundance title graphic featuring hands in free-flowing clean water

Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” 1 Kings 18:41

You’re probably familiar with the story. Israel had endured three and a half years with no rain. Elijah met the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel and God demonstrated the He alone was God. Then Elijah says, “There is the sound of abundance of rain.”

The dictionary defines abundance as plenty, having an ample amount. Theologically, I think it goes beyond that. The abundance of rain meant that not only were the immediate needs in Israel met, but they didn’t have to worry about the future. They could plant crops. The livestock would survive. The pressure was off.

Rain isn’t all that is abundant.

‘The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression.’ Numbers 14:18a
God’s mercy is abundant. That means not only does He forgive our sins, but we don’t have to live in fear

He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress. Job 37:23b
He is abundant in justice. We don’t despair at unfairness and inequity. Wrongs will be made right.

In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more. Psalm 72:7
God brings peace not only in our hearts and relationship, but we are no longer His enemies through Christ. We don’t have to question where we stand with Him.

O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption. Psalm 130:7
We are redeemed from sin, but God continues to work turning our failures into something He can use for His glory. We don’t have to worry.

Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. Jeremiah 33:6
His truth is vast in scope and relevance. It does not expire.

I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. Jonah 4:2b
Lovingkindness is God’s covenant love. He doesn’t rescind it because of what we do. It is steadfast and secure.

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17
We receive an abundance of grace through the work of Christ. That grace covers–completely covers–our sins and shortcomings. It doesn’t run out. There is no fine print.

To recap:

Mercy, justice, peace, redemption, truth, lovingkindness, and grace. Not just to meet today’s needs, but tomorrow’s, the next day’s, and so on. We don’t have to wonder if that one thing we did can be forgiven. We don’t have to be concerned about whether the promises still apply. God has dealt, currently deals, and will continue to deal with us out of His abundance.

Signs of Hardness: Discontent

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Signs of Hardness Discontent title graphic

One of the memorable details in the Exodus is Pharaoh hardening his heart. Despite the miracles, the plagues, the pronouncements of Moses, he persisted, and the end result was God’s judgment on him and his nation. Pharaoh wasn’t the only one with a hard heart. Israel soon developed one in the wilderness. In the Old Testament and New Testament, we are warned not to harden our hearts. Of course, we would never … It doesn’t happen overnight though. It starts with an action or an attitude and before we know it, we are cold and indifferent to God and His word. We’ve begun considering some cautionary signposts that mean we are on the road to a heart hardened toward God. So far, we’ve discussed disobedience and wealth. Today, let’s look at discontent.

What is discontent?

From the dictionary, discontent is a sense of grievance, a lack of satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation. It is rampant in our culture. We are taught to constantly take inventory, to compare and even disparage those who have what we believe we should have. We manifest our discontent through complaining. We probably don’t think of ourselves as complainers, but we probably know someone who is. (That was tongue in cheek.) Consider your daily routine. The traffic was slow. The coffee has too much or not enough whatever in it. The order wasn’t quick enough. The internet is slow (I’m repenting as I type). That person doesn’t pull their weight. Those rules are useless. That costs too much. And on Sunday, the sermon was too long, too shallow, didn’t address my needs. The music was dull. Or too loud. And on and on and on.

How does complaining produce hardness?

Theologically, it is borne out of envy or covetousness. It is an accusation that God is not good, that He is not fair, that His provision for us is neither adequate nor appropriate. It teaches us that we are the ultimate arbiters of good and right and not Almighty God. Because we don;t want to give up our position, we harden our hearts toward the True God.

“How long must I endure this evil community that keeps complaining about me? I have heard the Israelites’ complaints that they make against me.

Numbers 14:27

God does not tolerate any other gods.

How do you soften a heart hardened by discontent?

The New Testament has some advice for how to soften our hearts.

Service

“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:26-28

Humility

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:3-5

Contentment

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”

Hebrews 13:5

If your primary thought about others is how to love and serve them, there isn’t room for the envy that produces discontent. When we add to that the perspective that we have Christ’s presence with us, no material things can compare. Finally, our contentment is a powerful witness to the world around us. Paul explains:

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.

Philippians 2:14-15