Leanness of the Soul Psalm 106:12-15 Sometimes God grants our request NOT to bless us BUT to teach us we don't want it

Psalm 106: Then they believed His words; They sang His praise. 13 They soon forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel, 14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tested God in the desert. 15 And He gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul.

Introduction Psalm 106 – 1 of 9 “hallelujah” psalms They begin and end with “Hallelujah” or “Praise the Lord” - depending on version In between are the details of their sins Pslam 106  Sins in Egypt – 6-12  Sins in the wilderness –  Golden calf –  Despising the land of promise –  Iniquity of Baal of Peor – 28-31

Introduction What happened to Israel after they crossed the Red Sea? They grumbled and complained They were critical of God, Moses, Aaron The complained about the crossing, the water, the food God gave them their request - But sent leanness to their soul

Another text Ezekiel 14:3-4 3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them? 4 Therefore speak to them, and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols,

Biblical Examples Jacob  Deceived his father to obtain the birthright  Spent the rest of his life being deceived by Rachel, Leah, Laben, his sons over the death of Joseph Give us a king  Rejected Samuel, wanted a king  Lived to regret it, kingdom divided

Biblical Examples Lot  Chose the green grass of Sodom  Vexed his righteous soul every day  Lost his wife, daughters incest Gehazi  Servant of Eliash, covented money from Naaman  Lied to get it – got the Naaman's leprosy

Biblical Examples Ananias / Sapphira – Acts 5:1-11  Planned, schemed, and lied  Both died within an hour Demas – 2 Timothy 4:10  Started with Paul, doing mission work  Forsook Paul “for this present world”

Biblical Examples Jewish leaders  Wanted Jesus dead  “His blood be upon us”  And it was

Be careful what you ask for Want high paying job  Willing to sacrifice morals, family, faith?  Is the cost worth the gain?  Where is your treasure? Matthew 6:19-20 Approval of men / want popularity  Are you willing to pay the price?  Stand for something or fall for anything

Be careful what you ask for Perfect spouse  Perfect = appearance, good looks, popular  Just remember – You are no bargain to live with either! Laodicea – Revelation 3:14-18  Center of Emporor worship  Known for a school of medicine  Produced sheep with a glossy black wool

Revelation 3: "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Revelation 3: Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

Conclusion Be careful what you desire, beg for, pray for, request from God You will reap what you sow Galatians 6:7-8 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.