I’ve noticed that when life is good, I think less about God, but when difficulties arise, I find myself praying. I suppose this is normal for most of us. I subtly believe that fortunate circumstances arise due my smarts, but want the Lord to bail me out during the downturns.

The prophet Jeremiah brought a word to Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, expressing a similar sentiment. God said, I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, “I will not listen.“

During the thriving days of the kingdom, God sought to draw people to himself. This king, along with the majority of his people, refused to pay attention. Later, when the invaders ravaged the land, they cried out to the Lord. Too little, too late.

In my prosperous days, am I any better? I hope so, and try to give attention to the Lord. I find it helpful to write down the many ways God has blessed my life. Gratitude softens my spirit and reminds my of all the good in my life that I’ve done nothing to deserve. Am I in prosperous days? Sure feels like it, and I hope to make it a time of gratefulness and expanding my relationship with the the Lord.

Jeremiah 22:21

Photo by Nitin M Nisar