Contemplative Bible Reading

Isaiah 64:11-12 (English Standard Version)

11 Our holy and beautiful house,
where our fathers praised you,
has been burned by fire,
and all our pleasant places have become ruins.
12 Will you restrain yourself at these things, O Lord?
Will you keep silent, and afflict us so terribly?

The prophet is lamenting the horrible state of God’s people and asking God for a return to better times. What catches my attention is the phrase, “all our pleasant places have become ruins.”

Oh, if I could just return to the good old days and the good old places. Oh, if I were in some place in some other time that wasn’t here and now.

What is it about the sinful human condition that causes us to disdain the here and now for the otherwise? Why is it that I struggle to appreciate the goodness and grace of God that I undeservedly enjoy right here right now? Yes, I have been in wonderful places at wonderful times in wonderful circumstances with wonderful people and wonderful…I could go on, but I think that makes the point. God has blessed me in the past. God blesses me now. Why do I think God blessed me more then than now?

Please God, help me in my unbelief.