Sour Grapes

by Dec 9, 2016Devotional0 comments

Proverbs 20:14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer– then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

      Why am I not being blessed like brother Barry? Doesn’t God know I needed that blessing more than he did? Why did God give that house to that family and not us? I have been begging God for a house for our family. Why did Mary get that job and I didn’t? Surely God knows Mary has more money than I do. Why don’t I get the blessings I need and everyone else is getting theirs? Why did Carolyn get healed? She only goes to church once a month. I go every Sunday and I’m still sick. 
      It almost sounds petulant and childish when hearing these complaints but nonetheless, they are voiced every day by God-fearing people who are stuck in the frustration of their faith. God’s answer to all these sour grape prayers is get the covetousness out of our talk and start believing God for real answers to faith-filled prayer. Heb. 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Saints, this life is not a reality show; it is reality.
      We live in a braggadocious and a one-up society where scamming and getting popular because of the art of that particular scam is applauded. This type of acceptable living is becoming our morning water-cooler or coffee-bar talk and viewing pleasure. The more outrageous and belligerent the act is, the faster it becomes available to viewers on a variety of social apps available to the whole world.
      Popularity by clicks and bites does not necessarily create an honest character. Some people think we can bring this fame and notoriety found on the world’s social media platform to the throne room of God and get special treatment. “Hey God! I have five hundred friends on this page and I need your blessing to improve my social status.” Prayer without faith can become redundant and the result is often a great big silence from heaven resulting in a sour grape attitude toward God and church.
 Prov. 19:3 The stupidity of a person turns his life upside down, and his heart rages against the LORD. 
      We need to learn how to rejoice in the blessing and prosperity of others without feeling we will be left out of God’s plan. We should not be comparing ourselves with others in the quantity of stuff attained in life or even ministries that have grown in the favor of God. Stop worrying about what you think people are getting away with. Psalm 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 

      I like what Gloria Copeland says when she sees others being blessed. She says, “Praise the Lord the line is moving and my turn should be coming up soon.” No sour grapes there. She has learned to rejoice in the prosperity of others and we need this ability in our lives also. When our attitude is to help people get what they want in life, it will not be long before we get what we want for our lives. God is just and has put desires into our hearts. Psalm 20:4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. It is His good pleasure to give us His kingdom and the abilities to work within it. Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

      There is no need to live in fear of being left out or having to resort to a schemer’s way of life to get by. We do not have to become so cunning as to trick people out of their livelihood to get ahead. Prov. 20:14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer– then goes off and boasts about the purchase. Our God is a giving God and asks that we come to Him in faith, asking for what we need to live and also grow in the dreams God has put within our hearts. God is not trying to take away our reason for existing; He is trying to help us grow and mature so we can fulfill our reason for living in Christ.

      There are no reasons for sour grapes in our lives when we approach God under His terms. The Lord is not impressed with our charisma or social standing. He is interested in our character of heart and love for His will in our lives. Don’t try and put your best foot forward. God already knows you too well and all your secrets. Just be you. Let us grow and mature in the love of God and not become infantile complainers, turning every event into a sour grape catastrophe because we did not get our way. Let us trust God and his thoughts toward us. He knows who we are and what we need. Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
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