Leanness of Soul

by Dennis Michelson
(Novelty, Ohio)

Psalm 106:15 - And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

Introduction: Sometimes the worst thing that can happen is for us to get our own way. A lean soul is the result of God allowing someone to have what He does not want them to have. It is always preceded by a period of rebellion wherein the person insists that his way is better than God's way.

1. CAUSES OF A LEAN SOUL (106:6-14)

a. We forget what we have done (106:6) The process begins with ingratitude. We forget the mercy and grace of God and begin to think we deserve something more than what we have.

b. We forget what God has done (106:7) How soon do we forget that the God of the Red Sea knows what is best for us.

c. We cannot worship (106:12) Of course we can still go to church but worship is impossible because of the rebellion in the heart. Wickedness and worship simply do not mix.

d. We cannot wait (106:13) The heart of the problem is always the heart. The text says "they waited not for His counsel." A lean soul is generally preceded by good, godly counsel, left unheeded.

2. THE CONSEQUENCES OF A LEAN SOUL (106:16-39)

a. Reject authority (106:16, 32) When one rejects God's message he will often reject God's messenger.

b. Practice idolatry (106:19-21) When the truth is rejected then lies must follow.

(1) There is worldliness (106:34-38)
(2) There is whoredom (106:39)

c. We break our covenants with God but He does not break His covenant with us (106:45)

3. THE CURE FOR A LEAN SOUL (106:30-33)

There is no cure for the lean soul. Many miss God's best just like Israel - they wander through life for many years. You can repent of the sin but you cannot change the consequences. The consequences always have an effect on those around us.

Phinehas took a stand (106:30) and generations were blessed. Consequently, the rebel also takes a stand and unfortunately generations are affected also (106:37-38) Sadly, the bitterness and disobedience of the Israelites even influenced Moses (106:32-33). After 40 years their hearts were hardened and remained self-willed. The soul that begins with leanness will generally progress to hardness.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord. (106:48)

Comments for Leanness of Soul

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Apr 24, 2024
Repentance is the answer for leanness of the soul - Prodigal Son (Luke 15)
by: Anonymous

Luke 15 Parable of the prodigal son shows there is a cure for leaness of the soul. He was self-willed and wanted things his way, got his and left.
He spent it all, was so poor he was willing to eat slop. Then he changed his mind about listening and serving his father and went back to Him.(God). The error in your assessment should be reconsidered to escape damnation.

Feb 18, 2023
Cure
by: Rev.Dustin.

Among the Disciples of Jesus there are afew of them,that depict a measure of leanness of soul,Judas Iscariot,peter and Thomas,who were struggling with their faith to a large extent.As for Judas he was done,but for Thomas who even after eating the miracle bread,after seeing all the healings and all the demons being cast out,after all the lames and paralytics were healed,and Seeing The Lord speak to the wind and the storm went quite still continued to forget the mighty demonstrations and struggled in their believe.But when he encountered the resurrected savior,his leanness was cured and proseeded to become an apostle to India.I do believe that the leanness of soul is a dangerous cancer in the souls of believers,and only an encounter with the resurrected Christ can cure.

Feb 15, 2022
Thank you for bringing the subject to light!
by: Teresa Coverdale

I feel like you are very right about asking for God‘s will in answering prayer. I never really thought about leanness into The soul. So that makes me think I should be very careful about my prayers🙏🏻
My God does listen to my cries✝️

Dec 05, 2021
There is cure for leanness of soul
by: Folasayo Ayegbayo

The grace bestowed upon us through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ comes with abundant mercy and pardon. The consequences of ones action may remain as a scar to remember where one has fallen.

In the case of Father Abraham, he went his own way, got a son another way. The consequences are still with us, but God still sincerely kept His promise to him. There is pardon for repentant soul. Psalm 51 verse 17 says: ... a broken spirit and a contrite heart He will not despise.

Jul 27, 2021
Hope
by: Anonymous

My child died in 2016... I have lived & breathed "leanness of soul" became bitter, rebellious, attitude with people God has sent to lead me... I have to believe... in forgiveness it is the entire point of the Cross, I struggle to be in God's presence & His purpose, He knows me, He created me, He forgives me, I never realized I was walking in "leanness of soul" til reading this, Hope is knowing God is our cure for all we lack... Lord mercy & grace all the days of our lives in Jesus & wisdom of the Holy Spirit Lord I lift up my soul Amen

Jul 04, 2021
Grace
by: Anonymous

Jesus came to reconcile, restore and redeem. He cures leaness of soul. His mercies are new every morning.

Apr 29, 2018
THE CURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WITH US
by: Anonymous

I like the message you are sending and yes it is very true YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW. Do you want problems confusion and stress? Do things your way which is the best way to get your spirit out of the peace only the FATHER can give. Ignore what you know he has placed in you and what you know is right and do what you want to and at times he will not allow it cause he knows what's best for our lives and at times he will show you that PEACE can only come from his will for our lives and JESUS SAVES. If you feel as if you have a lean soul, REPENT and CHANGE YOUR WAYS and know that you cannot con GOD. He knows your heart and mind and spirit; he created you so he knows if your repentance is real and he will forgive and blot it out of the book of life for as long as you change your ways and turn to HIM. THANK YOU, YHVH, YESHUA and HOLY SPIRIT it is thru you that we all LIVE AND HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. AMEN.

May 03, 2017
Grace is available
by: Ian

Your article is good, but ends on a legalistic note. While we may learn from the examples of Old Testament happenings (1 Cor 10:11), the situation now is one of grace and restoration when there is genuine repentance. God is a restorer of people. A bruised reed I will not break and a dimly burning wick I will not put out (Mt 12:20).

Aug 01, 2014
Core
by: Anonymous

I will not bind myself or no one else under a curse by saying there is no cure to leanness of the soul. That is exactly what Jesus came for.

Yes we suffer the consequences of our actions, but Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. That is the purpose for His life, death, and resurrection. God came down here in the flesh to set the captive free and to heal the sick. So Jesus is the cure for leanness.

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