The Squeaky Wheel
There it was, his new lawn mower, it was very different from what he had previously owned in the past, so as the years rolled by, and each time he mowed, he just adapted to its quirks and differences, but then came the day when he had to use another person’s mower, and then he found the difference, his was so very hard to push, so stiff and resisting, and the other persons just floated along so easily. He had just gotten so used to pushing his stiff mower, and that was just normal to him, but it did give him a great exercise work-out as it took a lot to huffing and puffing to mow anything, so it was cheaper than going for a run, or a Gym Workout.
Then one day, enough was enough, so he got out his tool box and started to explore, and there it was on the back wheels was a seized up failed final drive mechanism, so he removed the retaining clip, slid off the restricting drive gear, and there is was, freewheeling, long gone was the old stiffness and difficulties, now all was just smooth sailing and easy free flowing manoeuvrable mowing. So much better, in essence, the squeaky wheel was now as it were, well-oiled and free-wheeling.
So how is it in your life, are you expending great effort for that which does not satisfy? Isaiah 55:2 “Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread? And your labour for [that which] satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye [that which is] good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” Isaiah is writing just before the 70 years of the Babylonian Captivity, and even a few thousand years ago, people were still “chasing their tails,” “pursuing fantasies” and spending loads of effort, and the hunger is still not even satisfied. Huge effort pushing and pulling, “shoulder to the wheel and nose to the grindstone” with loads of eternal effort and basically nothing to show for it, but the wheel still squeaks. Isaiah 55:2 “Wherefore do ye spend money for [that which is] not bread?”
We have this also written in the same basic period, Ezekiel 7:19 “They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.” All their perceived wealth of Gold, Silver and “That Latest Stuff,” does not satisfy, and when the chips are down, all their efforts were for nothing, all those whims and fantasies brought no solution, so the wheel still squeaks.
Psalm 145:14-21 “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all [those that be] bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD [is] righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.”
God has an over abundant supply of the “Ultimate Oil,” that perfectly lubricates and a regular and liberal application of “the Oil of the Holy Spirit” gives longevity, peace and much benefit, then gone are the bad old days of toiling and striving for that which is not bread, and that continual grating, grinding and squeak, as all the wheels struggled to turn round each day, and all along the way. Proverbs 13:15 “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors [is] hard.” Paul found out that his opposition to God was a very hard and tough route to take, Acts 9:5 “And he said, who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the Heavenly prodding of God’s Ox Goad.” Proverbs 13:15b “but the way of transgressors [is] hard.”
Quote; “The way of transgressors is hard,” but wisdom’s “ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 13:15; 3:17. Every act of obedience to Christ, every act of self-denial for His sake, every trial well endured, every victory gained over temptation, is a step in the march to the glory of final victory. If we take Christ for our guide, He will lead us safely. The deepest sinner need not miss his way. Not one trembling seeker need fail of walking in pure and holy light. Though the path is so narrow, so holy that sin cannot be tolerated therein, yet access has been secured for all, and not one doubting, trembling soul need say, “God cares nought for me.”
The road may be rough and the ascent steep; there may be pitfalls upon the right hand and upon the left; we may have to endure toil in our journey; when weary, when longing for rest, we may have to toil on; when faint, we may have to fight; when discouraged, we must still hope; but with Christ as our guide we shall not fail of reaching the desired haven at last. Christ Himself has trodden the rough way before us and has smoothed the path for our feet.” {MB 140} God has the ultimate oil, his way is the very best, the squeaky wheel will be no more and the path ahead so smooth, “In Christ Jesus” so come to him right now.
