Jeremiah 9:19

For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast us out.

I find myself guilty of complaining about a few sprigs of crabgrass in our fairways or a dead or rough spot on the putting green. In these times of vain despair, I try to recall the videos from the 1950’s and 1960’s when the the conditions of golf courses were not even close to our immaculately manicured courses of today. The fairways were sparse and the putting greens were like the fairways of today.

Things spoil because of inactivity or inattention. Children who are pacified with “things” instead of parent time are no different than the food left over from the cookout and put in the back corner of the refrigerator. Sooner or later, they spoil. We have become a spoiled people in our country. We feel we don’t have any legitimate worries from other nations regarding our security. Our plates and cupboards are full of food. Our churches are air conditioned and our pews are padded. The people of Jerusalem didn’t have any worries about the safety and security of their city. This vain confidence resulted in a lazy and content attitude. Because of the people’s inattentiveness and lazy attitude, the city and surrounding areas were destroyed. During the plunder, the enemy even carried many people into other countries. When we get lazy in our Christian lives, area by area begins to slowly spoil. We do not lose our salvation, but our joy and closeness with God will soon fade and wane away. When things are permitted to fade and dwindle away, so does their impact and influence. We must value the methods of spiritual preservation not only for ourselves but also our family. The importance of prayer, Bible study and worship attendance must never be forsaken.