| Nehemiah 9:35 – “For they have not served You in their kingdom, or in the many good things that You gave them, or in the large and rich land which You set before them; Nor did they turn from their wicked works.” |
If you have children, you’ll understand this sentiment well. We cherish our kids and take immense joy in blessing them. However, have you ever experienced your child rolling their eyes when asked to do chores, slamming the door in a fit of rebellious anger, or outright refusing to spend time with you or the family? For most parents, such defiance often comes with consequences, perhaps halting allowance or cutting off other blessings.
You might feel compelled to give them a wakeup call, reminding them of the comforts they take for granted. Warm beds, the inviting aroma of breakfast cooking, or even their privacy by removing their bedroom door and inviting them to take a long walk to and from school by taking away their bike or car — these are privileges. We love them and enjoy doing things for them, but an unchecked, ungrateful heart is, in my opinion, a building block in the wrong direction.
After a few days of their world seemingly falling apart, they will most likely come to appreciate the quality-of-life loving parents provide. When they apologize and express their gratitude, we can return to blessing them once again.
In today’s verse we see the Israelites struggling with the reality of the situation after being cast out of their homeland. Upon reflecting on God’s word, they came to understand that their actions had been like those of disobedient children. Even during times of prosperity, they had neglected to serve and honor God, failing to recognize and appreciate the blessings He had given them. As a result, this lack of gratitude ultimately led to Gods withdrawal of those blessings.
God enjoys being appreciated. In all things, give Him thanks!
- Vicki Rance
