The Tyranny of the Customary
The sermon warns against the dangers of becoming accustomed to routine and comfortable situations, and encourages listeners to break free from the customary and pursue the promises God has made.
A.W. Tozer addresses the dangers of becoming complacent in our spiritual lives, using Israel's experience in the wilderness as a metaphor for the 'tyranny of the customary.' He emphasizes that Israel became trapped in a cycle of routine, content to remain at the mountain rather than pursuing the promised land. Tozer warns that this mindset can lead to spiritual stagnation, as we may become satisfied with our current state and lose sight of God's greater promises. He calls for a breaking away from the comfort of the familiar to embrace the movement God desires for us. Ultimately, Tozer encourages believers to recognize when they have lingered too long in their spiritual journey and to take action towards growth and fulfillment.
Text
In the Old Testament, the enemy that threatened Israel the most was the dictatorship of the customary. Israel became accustomed to walking around in circles and was blissfully content to stay by the safety of the mountain for a while. To put it another way, it was the psychology of the usual. God finally broke into the rut they were in and said, "You have been here long enough. It is time for you to move on." To put Israel's experience into perspective for our benefit today, we must see that the mountain represents a spiritual experience or a spiritual state of affairs. Israel's problem was that they had given up hope of ever getting the land God had promised them.
They had become satisfied with going in circles and camping in nice, comfortable places.
They had come under the spell of the psychology of the routine. It kept them where they were and prevented them from getting the riches God had promised them. If their enemy, the Edomites, would have come after them, the Israelites would have fought down to the last man and probably would have beaten the Edomites--Israel would have made progress. Instead they were twiddling their thumbs, waiting for the customary to keep on being customary.
Sermon Outline
- The Tyranny of the Customary
- Breaking Free from the Customary
- God's Intervention
- The Call to Move On
- The Promise of Riches
Key Quotes
“Israel became accustomed to walking around in circles and was blissfully content to stay by the safety of the mountain for a while.” — A.W. Tozer
“It was the psychology of the usual.” — A.W. Tozer
“They had come under the spell of the psychology of the routine.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize when you are stuck in a rut and need to break free from the customary.
- Respond to God's call to move on and pursue the promises He has made.
- Be willing to take risks and step out of your comfort zone to experience spiritual growth.