A Daily Necessity

Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king’s office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. 2 Chronicles 24:11 KJV

I have learned over the past several years that God’s Word is limitless in its application to our lives. I miss its multi-layered effect if I read a verse and fail to allow it to live and breathe in my day and age. But when I approach Scripture with a hunger to see the richer meanings and deeper applications I am astounded.

This morning I did something I rarely do. During prayer, I opened the Bible at random, pointed to the above verse, and read it. The actual setting was in Jerusalem and the king, Joash, called for a chest to be placed in an area where the people could come and contribute to the cost of rebuilding the house of the Lord. This was done with such enthusiasm that the chest was emptied and refilled daily! What a site that must have been! It is a story that exudes with generosity. But the Spirit of God took this verse and broadened the scope for me. The last phrase leaped off the pages of my Bible and found a resting place in my thirsty heart! Here’s the application that became personal for me.

I am the chest. Emptied daily through life, relationships, work, family, and schedules. Each morning I come once again before the throne of God to gather in abundance the riches He lavishes on me through time spent with Himself. It is a day by day process. I cannot horde spiritual growth! Just as there is a continual out-going there must be a continual in-taking. Otherwise, I begin to live my life on “empty.” It honestly does not take long before I begin to wane in my spirit, mood, emotions, desires, and connection. Internally I begin to feel out of sorts with myself, others, and God.

This shifting comes throughout the day and the solution is always the same….reconnect with the heart of God through prayer, scripture, music, meditation, and stillness. I am a bottomless pit of longing and God is the artesian well for my spirit. I have spent too many years trying to quench the thirst and fill the voids apart from God….even as a believer. It has never worked! Now I respond to His desire to fill me and heal me. It doesn’t matter if it has been only 5 minutes or 5 hours, when the need arises He urges me to turn to Him. I am learning to go to Him as soon as the ache and longing become apparent. No more waiting. No more distractions. No more broken cisterns.

Father, may I, as Your chest, house the treasures You give to me time and time again. May my emptiness always be brought to You for filling! Amen.