Day 25 - "The Dangers of Being At Ease" - Morning Light Devotional
Jeremiah 48:11 Moab has been at ease from his youth; He has settled on his dregs, And has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, Nor has he gone into captivity. Therefore his taste remained in him, And his scent has not changed. 12 “There- fore behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I shall send him wine-workers Who will tip him over and empty his vessels and break the bottles.”
This text shows the dangers of complacency, or of being unwilling to change for the better. Moab has been “at ease” or living in comfort. On its face, being comfortable is not an evil condition, but it comes with its own dangers.
God designed us to grow and develop, not remain the same. “Dregs” are the sediment that gather at the bottom of a container of wine. Filtering wine is necessary for preserving the flavor and maintaining its purity. Wine is filtered when carefully emptied from one vessel to an- other, resulting in the dregs being left behind. When God allows us to be emptied out, the purpose is to leave something undesirable behind, and to enhance our “flavor” and purity.
Note some of the key words in the text that describe the condition:
“At ease” ~ Unchallenged, not growing to maturity
“Settled on his dregs” ~ An unchanged state, dwelling in things that can eventually bring ruin
“Taste has remained” ~ Old appetites and desires continue
“Scent has not changed” ~ No difference that can be detected by others
What is the solution? God sends “wine-workers” such as pastors, preachers, prophets, and teachers to “tip him over.” Being tipped over is God's way of helping people change.
When we do not voluntarily practice emptying ourselves in God's presence, we get tipped over by one of God's servants who brings a word from the Lord. Sometimes circumstances do the tipping over. Also, to help us not return to our former ways, God allows the “bottles” to be broken.
Are you at ease today? Go empty yourself before Him, or be emptied by Him.
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:
