Full Tank
Dad was particular about the fuel meter in his car. He made sure the tank was at least half full. Many times he drove to a service station for no other reason than to push the needle upward away from the half mark.
I was recently with a person whose fuel meter was registering "low fuel." To my observation he replied, "Yes, but take note that the computer says the car will still go 64 miles."
My response was that 64 miles might be possible on an open road, but what if a person should be caught in a traffic jam or accident? What if a person should have to make an emergency trip? The driver was momentarily sobered, but observed: "It has never happened before."
Never happened before does not mean that it cannot happen. Prudence calls for caution. Insurance companies sell insurance based on probabilities. If no one had an accident, then accident insurance would not be needed. If no one died before age 60, then insurance companies would not sell policies to persons ages 1 to 59. That it does not happen to every person does not mean that it does not happen to some persons.
God is not into probabilities. He does not sell insurance based on actuaries. He knows that every person needs peace, hope, and freedom from sin. He knows that every person needs wisdom. He knows that every person will die and face judgment.
His love is so total that He gave His Son as a ransom for sin. He desires that no one be lost. He opened a door for every person's redemption.
The Holy Spirit beckons every man and woman. Individuals must decide whether to run on less than half a tank, betting on the odds and living on the edge, or pursue a total walk with Christ. Will they make sure of a full heart, full commitment, and full joy?
The merry-go-round is speeding up. The wisest people in the world are not sure of how fast it will spin and who will be flung off. What we can be sure is that persons living on the edge, careless, not regarding wisdom, reckless in personal behavior, and rebellious against God will face disaster.
Sundays come. Folks make a decision whether to run on half full or half empty. They make decisions whether to live on the edge, or to move to the center where there is safety and joy. They make decisions whether to risk running out of "fuel" or to be "topped off" and know they can encounter some emergencies and not risk sitting beside the road or being in a ditch.
Folks make a decision whether they will risk life on their own, or whether they will partner with Jesus and have divine help. Folks make a decision whether they will trust in their own intellect and physical strength, or whether they will invest in the promises of God. Folks make a decision whether they will go in their own self will, doing what comes naturally and trusting in the flesh, or whether they will walk in the Holy Spirit, yield themselves to the Spirit, and desire to be conformed to the image of Christ.
In the short run, risk looks exciting. In the short run, selfishness offers thrills. In the short run, the flesh gets lots of satisfaction. In the short run it can look like life is better for those who do not carry a cross. King David in Psalm 73 was tempted to join sinners. He was tempted to give up on things holy and eternal. Sinners seemed to be having a better time, more fun, and have more money.
King David went to the House of the Lord. He looked ahead. He saw the end of all things. He saw that today is not the measure of the FULL. Today is only a part of the whole. There is a beginning. There is the middle. There is the end. In the end we all meet God. In the end, righteousness pays. In the end that which is good prevails. In the end that which is sin fails. In the end those who TRUST in the Lord are the wise. Those who ignore God are the foolish. In the end there is a tank full of JOY for evermore for those who TRUST in the Lord. Looking at the end, David decided that the joy of salvation is better than sin and keeps the TANK full. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah).
My Friend, do not run half empty. The devil is looking for the right time to test you. Walk fully in knowledge of the Lord and His strength. Stay prayed up, looking up, and ready to go up. Keep a FULL TANK of heavenly joy! Be Filled with the Spirit!
Pastor Bare
"The Joy of the Lord is our strength" Nehemiah 8:10.