"A Curve To The Ground"

"He ruleth by His power for ever; His eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah." (Psalms 66:7) Paul just had a way of putting things in their proper perspective; we just need to learn how to take that perspective and apply it to our daily lives! The earthly man, who is physical, lives for this world, it's just a fact; no matter how you define your intentions not to do it, your physical body is going to want to be satisfied, whether that be by food, drink, or whatever, it's always crying and complaining about something that it wants. Even after going through that spectacularly incredible display of God's power and deliverance, the children of Israel did not take long to start complaining; three days was all it took for them to start their murmuring against Moses (Exodus 15:22); 45 days was all that it took to totally erase what deliverance felt like! (Exodus 16:1) Every day we must be on guard against these natural tendencies of our flesh; every day we must remind ourselves of the deliverance that we have experienced, and what it was that God has brought us through. It's not just enough to believe that He has saved you, you need to believe what for and for what He has called you to be, because that is what matters the most. What makes any of us think that we have something over the children of Israel? We are all rebellious in our own particular way. Just because we have been delivered, seen God's spectacular works, and witnessed a miracle, does not mean that we have had our appetite to be satisfied taken care of, because as soon as we are needy, whatever that need might be, it will be right back! These are three very basic principles for keeping ourselves in check: Remembering that God is in control, and He has the power to crush you; He sees you, no matter where you are or what you are doing; and, for whatever it's worth, don't let yourself get cocky...  "After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and His kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to Him. He does as He pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop Him or say to Him, 'What do you mean by doing these things?' When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All His acts are just and true, and He is able to humble the proud." (Daniel 4:34-37) NLT