Leanness Of The Soul

Looking at this progression today...

"Then they believed His words; They sang His praise. They soon forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel, But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul." - Psalm 106:12-15 NKJV

That word leanness is razown (Strong's H7332) and it means scantness (of measure) or a wasting disease where mass is lost not gained.

The thing I love about grace when it is taught correctly is that it has embedded in it a sense of history and a lack of moral self-reliance.

Knowledge of my depravity makes me rely on grace. It isn't just an option it is everything. I am disqualified. I need counsel. If I have any native goodness I become double minded because I can forget my past and push forward with renewed effort. I can reason by 'sight' and moral principles. Then in the wilderness, I can become indignant and see suffering as unfair.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." - Titus 2:11-14 ESV

A grace believer is motivated in gratitude that remembers a continuous need and desire for the Saviour who will give counsel using the Bible, people and insight by His Spirit as events unfold. This person isn't looking to do 'the right thing'. They long for the redemptive outcome and they have longsuffering love to endure the wilderness with 'rebound' when they fail.

If you have any native goodness then you will be too good for this. Your goodness will result in a 'wasting disease' that hinders spiritual growth. God is the only good one. We can be hidden in His goodness by grace and have peace that passes understanding. That strong tower is a greenhouse for spiritual growth.

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