"God Is Aware"

The news of Jesus spread all over the land. People had heard of His healings and power over spiritual powers. As Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, he was passing between Samaria and Galilee, entering a village. Ten leprous men standing at a distance, raised the voices speaking, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! " (Luke 17) They were in need of His help in their helpless situation. Jesus had mercy and helped and they were healed. But something commanded His attention. Only one man, an outsider that was not part of Jewish nation, came back, fell at the feet of Jesus giving Him thanks. Jesus noticed the other nine showed no gratitude in return. Here they were, outcasts because of leprosy, doomed to lived in seclusion away from friends and family and Jesus did them a great favor. They got what they wanted and off they ran with little regard for the Lord.

Over the years I have seen this. People in difficult situations, calling, asking for prayers and help. They seemed to be heart-broke. The Lord helps and they are never seen again! People who have little regard for the things of God and one day their marriage is in deep trouble. They want to save their marriage, start reaching out to bible studies, prayer and the brethren. They rarely assembled with the saints and now they never miss. As their marriage mends, you see them a step at a time turn back to what they were before. The Lord helped and rescued while they turn back to the very world that caused their troubles to begin with. I always know that they will have to be rescued again, but the next time the result will be much different.

People seem to want the Lord when in trouble but have little to do with Him when things are good. That is faithless. Faith, true saving faith, always acknowledges God and moves a person toward the Lord. The faithless are 'users' and they try to use anyone to their advantage to help them in their need. Once their need is met, they move to the next part of their life. I've watched women who struggle in relationships. They find a man and you don't see them. The relationship breaks up and here they are...until the next man comes along.

God abounds in loving-kindness, compassion and is gracious to us frail and weak humans. In God's loving-kindness He will never allow man to abuse or misuse His graciousness. The opportunities He gives each of us to respond and move are from a heart of love. One day the users will seek and there will be no help, no answers because God sees the intentions of the heart. Humility and gratitude toward the Lord will lead you upward into Him.