The Dangers Of Ease And Comfort

“When they had pasture, they became satisfied; they were satisfied, and their hearts became proud. Therefore they forgot me.” – Hosea 13.6, CSB

One of the most dangerous things that negatively impact our relationship with the Lord is to be satisfied in the blessings of the Lord instead of being satisfied in the Lord. The accusation made by God against his people through Hosea was they forgot about him when they had enough. They didn’t continue to seek him. Instead, they wandered away from him and worshiped other things. They even rejected God so that they could worship the idols of gods whom they had made for themselves. Paul makes this same accusation as he opens his letter to the Christians in Rome. “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen” (Romans 1.25, CSB).

God had warned Israel of this very thing in Deuteronomy 8 before they entered the promised land.

11 “Be careful that you don’t forget the Lord your God by failing to keep his commands, ordinances, and statutes that I am giving you today. 12 When you eat and are full, and build beautiful houses to live in, 13 and your herds and flocks grow large, and your silver and gold multiply, and everything else you have increases, 14 be careful that your heart doesn’t become proud and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. – Deuteronomy 8.11-14, CSB

And yet, they forgot about him.

Fellow Christ-followers, may we heed God’s warning. May we appreciate and enjoy the blessings of the Lord, but never at the expense of loving and following him. May Jesus always be the focus of our affection and attention. May he always be the one we worship and obey. May our intimate fellowship with him be what we long for the most.

God, would you please reveal anything you’ve blessed us with that has become more important to us than you are? Would you please convict us if we have begun to worship comfort and ease so much that we no longer follow you in complete and humble obedience? Thank you for your desire to have all of us. Thank you for being our Greatest Good. Help us not settle for comfort and ease. Please continue to help us lay aside every weight that clings to our souls so closely and pursue you with everything. We love you so much.