“See now that I am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand.” – Deuteronomy 32:39
Early this month I was at Passion Conference, gathered with more than fifty thousand college students. John Piper shared an insightful message about the root of evil; he asserted that the root of evil is not evil deeds, but a deliberate choice to not seek God.
Piper illustrated this moment in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve desire for knowledge was greater than their desire to obey God. We all have moments where we wake up and realize we are chasing fruit instead of chasing God. Chasing fruit causes us to lose our appetite for God, and the fruit becomes the thing that satisfies us.
Chasing fruit causes us to lose our appetite for God.
Sometimes it happens in a moment, but I find mostly that it happens over time. One day you’re chasing after God with thousands of other Jesus followers, where only God satisfies. The next day you’re chewing on a nice sweet apple and looking for more of the same.
Deuteronomy 32 was a song written by Moses as a reminder to the Israelites that while we are busy chasing fruit (idols), God is orchestrating his divine plan. The entire song is an admonition for Israel not to forget that God has always been faithful to deliver them, even when they have not sought his will.
In the new year, I am reminded to look back on the past and not forget all the great things God has accomplished. We shouldn’t forget how he continuously looked after us and prepared a way for us, even while at times we are unfaithful. This passage should encourage us to strengthen our perspective of the future in light of the past and chase after the Lord into the land he prepares for us. My prayer this year is that we not become satisfied with fruit, but have an appetite that can only be filled by intimacy with God through Jesus Christ.
Written by Joshua Harrelson, Vice President of Advancement
