Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9

My son; my daughter

What does beauty look like? It is tough growing up in a world where beauty is defined by outward appearances. For some beauty is all about what kind of clothes you wear and how you look in those clothes. For others beauty is defined by the stuff they have. The newer the phone, the more beautiful you feel. So much of our time can be wasted trying to fit into the world’s definition of beauty.

Godly beauty is so much different. The wisest man that ever lived said that the more you listen to your father and mother the more beautiful you are. As you honor your father and mother and others in authority, it shows your real beauty.

When we break the Fourth Commandment, we show the world around us the ugliness of our sinful nature. When we disrespect our parents, we show the dark stain that is on our hearts. When we close our ears to our Heavenly Father, we are wearing the chains of sin around our neck.

Jesus kept the Fourth Commandment perfectly for you! He obeyed his Heavenly Father by coming to this earth and graced his head not with garland, but with a crown of thorns. He wore a chain around his neck, but it wasn’t a fancy gold one. It was the sin of the world. All of your sins were paid for by Jesus.

He can now proudly call you his beautiful sons and daughters. You have been washed by his blood and brought into his family by baptism. You are beautiful.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me godly wisdom to know what pleases you. Give me the strength to show my inner beauty as I live to honor and respect those in authority over me. Amen.

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The May series is for the times we may hit rock bottom as we experience seasons of fear and weariness, despair and depression, pain and loss … all of them due to sin. Yet God never leaves or abandons us. He pursues and seeks us in our dark moments.

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Job 1:20-21

Rock bottom… What now? Praise God!

We’ve all been told before something along the lines of, “If you think you’ve got it bad, there’s always someone who has it worse.” Job would have been hard-pressed to find that person. His sons and daughters had died. His home was gone. His riches were depleted. Everything about his life had changed in an instant and he had indeed hit rock bottom.

Put yourself in Job’s sandals for a moment. How would you deal with these challenges? If your cell phone suddenly doesn’t turn on, panic sets in. Someone shares a false rumor about you, and your day is ruined. You get a bad grade on a test and your mood turns sour as you lament your bad fortune. When bad things happen, how do you deal with them? Don’t we all at times look for someone to lash out at, to pout and complain, to blame others for what has happened, even if it might be our fault?

What a lesson we learn from Job. At such a challenging time in his life, he humbly turned to his God and confessed, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (v. 21). As Job’s life hit rock bottom with a thud, he didn’t complain. He didn’t lash out. He didn’t cry out “woe is me.” He marveled at God’s goodness, saying, “May the name of the Lord be praised.” Whether its the end of another school year or the beginning of summer vacation, whether life is going great or rock bottom is in sight, praising God is how our faith in Jesus responds to his love for us. Nothing in this life—NOTHING—can take away the truth of what our God has done for us and what is ours in him alone. Remember that, dear young friends. Live that. Cherish it always.

Prayer: Lord God in heaven above, it gives me such great comfort to know that you are with me throughout my life. Heavenly Father, there are times when I feel like I’ve hit rock bottom. There are times when it feels like I have nothing to be thankful for. And then I am reminded of your love for me. I’m amazed at the price your Son paid to forgive my sins and call me you own. Thank you for this gift. Thank you for my life here on earth and for life eternal in heaven. Amen.

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The May series is for the times we may hit rock bottom as we experience seasons of fear and weariness, despair and depression, pain and loss … all of them due to sin. Yet God never leaves or abandons us. He pursues and seeks us in our dark moments.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:15-18

Rock bottom … Why now? A lament.

One dictionary definition for the word “lament” is “to express sorrow, regret, or unhappiness about something.” While you maybe haven’t used the word before, all of us understand it’s meaning, as we do just that from time to time when things go wrong. Sometimes moms and dads are the recipients of our laments. Sometimes its a coach or a teacher. Sometimes its friends. Whenever we hit rock bottom, we all look for someone “to express sorrow, regret, or unhappiness about something.”

Too often, though, going to the Lord seems to be our last resort. When bad things happen, we so often try to figure out the best course of action on our own, or we turn to a friend who means well but is ill-equipped to give us any wise advice because they might be dealing with some of the same things. Too often, the Lord is the last one we turn to in our time of need, sharing our concerns and sincerely crying out, “I need help!”

That’s why Psalm 34 is such a great reminder for all of us, no matter what we might be dealing with or wondering what’s next in life. A young David, the author of Psalm 34, was at a difficult time of life. He was all alone and running for his life from King Saul, who wanted him dead. David knew where to turn, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry” (v. 14). David knew as he was nearing rock bottom, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (v. 17-18). David’s Old Testament proclamation is the truth we still live by today. Jesus loves you. He died for you. He will never leave you. You can go to him in prayer knowing he hears and is willing and able to help. What comfort that gives—today and always, no matter what we might be dealing with.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, there is so much pain and suffering in the world around me. My own life is filled with challenges and issues that cause me at times to feel like I am all alone. Be with me today and always, dear Lord. I come to you in prayer needing your guidance and power, your caring and your love. In Jesus’ name I pray this to you in my time of need. Amen.

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The May series is for the times we may hit rock bottom as we experience seasons of fear and weariness, despair and depression, pain and loss … all of them due to sin. Yet God never leaves or abandons us. He pursues and seeks us in our dark moments.

Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
and have washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been afflicted,
and every morning brings new punishments.

Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:13-14, 23-26

Rock Bottom … Why Me?

It’s really easy to have a pity party for oneself. Someone else’s family has a more comfortable lifestyle. A classmate more easily understands physics. We see those who seem to have a brighter future than we see for ourselves. Pity parties are something that affect all of us from time to time. They allow us to wallow in our misery and ask out loud “Why me?” when things go wrong.

The writer of Psalm 73 dealt with the same thing. He was struggling. With what? We don’t know exactly, but we do know we can relate. He speaks for all of us who have lamented before, “All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments” (v. 14). Whether we ask God “Why me?” from self-pity or sincere concern, it’s a question our sinful selves need to have answered if we are to have any joy and peace in life.

Our gracious God does just that. Think about how much he loves us. He sent his one and only Son to this earth to die as a substitute for our sin. He turned his back on Jesus so that he might never do the same to us. He’s given us his holy Word as guide, leading us forward in his most holy name. The writer of Psalm 73 asked “Why me?” and found his answer not by looking deep within himself, but looking to his gracious God who was was always with him—in times of trouble, in times of celebration, and for all eternity. We join with the psalmist today in praising this same God, proclaiming “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand” (v. 23).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me. I never deserve and don’t always appreciate this love, but you freely and fully shower me with your blessings each and every day of life. Guide me to always love as you have loved me. In your name I pray this and all things. Amen.

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Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe… When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.
Exodus 12:21-23

Passover

Do you eat a special diet? Do you know anyone who eats a special diet?

God gave his people, the Israelites, a special Passover diet in Exodus 12. The main item on the menu was a blemish-free lamb. God instructed Israel on how to prepare it, eat it, and even what to do with the lamb’s blood. They were to paint it on their doorframes—almost like a Halloween movie scene.

Why did the Lord give this special meal and these specific instructions? He was setting the table for his deliverance. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt at the time. But the Lord would deliver them in a special way—through the blood of a lamb!

But lamb wasn’t the only food on the menu. The Israelites were to eat bitter herbs to remind them of their bitter slavery and need for deliverance. You probably don’t need to eat herbs to be reminded of bitterness. Are you lonely, sick, frustrated, afraid, or struggling with sin? The reminders of bitterness are all around every day. Like Israel, you need deliverance too.

God has provided your deliverance through THE Lamb! All those Passover lambs set the table for Jesus, THE ultimate Passover Lamb to come. Years later, a man named John the Baptist pointed directly at Jesus and said, “Look, THE Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29).

At the Passover, every family had its own lamb. Every Israelite archway was covered in blood. God made his deliverance personal. God makes his deliverance personal to you too. In bread and wine, Jesus gives his body and blood for your forgiveness. On the archway of your heart and the framework of your conscience, God paints the certain promise that Jesus has, does, and will deliver us too.

Prayer: Jesus, when I am reminded of the bitterness of sin and life in a sin-filled world, deliver me and renew me in your saving love. Amen.

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And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
Genesis 3:15

The plan the whole time

The dog’s owners noticed his leg was bleeding. Something had agitated the dog causing him to run over to where their child was playing. The dog barked fiercely and limped away with a wound.

The veterinarian’s examination discovered the marks from a snake bite. The story became clear. The dog saw the threat and put himself in harm’s way between the snake and the child. The dog took the wound to save the child. This is amazing love from a faithful friend!

But that true story pales in comparison to the true story God’s faithful love and his plan to save!

God saw the danger and damage the devil caused. The devil, who took on the form of a snake, slithered into God’s perfect world to tempt and destroy. He succeeded in enticing the first people to consume his lies and then consume the forbidden fruit.

The results were instant! Sin entered the world. Shame, fear, blame, and death quickly followed. Not a moment goes by where we aren’t reminded of sin’s devastating impact.

But God responded with an incredible plan to save. He promised a serpent-crusher, a sin-bearer, a death-destroyer! With each added promise, the story became clearer and clearer. A Savior would come!

And he did! Jesus put himself in harm’s way—receiving wounds and taking sin’s punishment to save us. Jesus put himself in harm’s way—taking on and taking down the devil. Jesus put himself in harm’s way—entering death and then rising from it. All for you!

This is everlasting love from our greatest friend!

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your amazing and everlasting love. When sin, fear, or death close in on me, come quickly to comfort me with your promises of salvation, forgiveness, and life. Amen.

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Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:45-46

Forsaken

As a child, did you ever get left somewhere accidentally? It’s a sickening feeling, “Did my parents forget about me?”

Some children experience something more serious than that. They were given up for adoption when they were young and may wonder, “Did my parents not want me anymore? Why did they give me up?”

One of our greatest human needs is to feel loved and accepted. The thought of being abandoned or rejected by our parents can shatter that sense of feeling loved and accepted. Rejection by loved ones, or even by friends can leave us feeling unloved, unaccepted, and forsaken.

Have you ever felt rejected? Maybe you’re experiencing those feelings today. If you are, God your Heavenly Father wants you to hear something, something very important. He has NOT forsaken you, and he never will.

How do we know? Because Jesus was forsaken for us.

While all of us at times have been or felt rejected or forsaken by others (perhaps some of us quite seriously), no human being will ever fully understand or appreciate the depth of rejection and abandonment that Jesus experienced in our place. From eternity, Jesus enjoyed the perfect love of his father. While hanging on the cross however, Jesus endured the full brunt of his father’s abandonment, rejection, and condemnation as payment for our sins. That is why he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

All of us deserve to be abandoned and forsaken by God for our sins, but in an act of amazing unconditional love, God abandoned his Son Jesus in our place. Jesus experienced that hell so that we never would.

Therefore, we can rest secure in God’s love for us. Even if we feel abandoned or rejected in our human relationships, we will never be abandoned or rejected by him. That gives us peace, hope, and joy.

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, how can I ever thank you for being forsaken by your Father so that I never will? Your love for me never ceases to amaze me. Amen.

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Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23-24 ESV

Season of searching

If you’re like most people, you don’t exactly love going to the doctor. There’s something scary about letting another person do a thorough examination of your body looking for something wrong. What if they find something? What if it’s serious? Maybe it’s just easier to deal with it on your own? Maybe it will just go away?

We do this spiritually too. There’s something a little scary about going to a holy God, knowing that he can do a thorough examination of your heart. And oh yes, he will find something wrong, something serious. It’s called sin, and it’s uncomfortable to have your deep, dark sins exposed! Maybe it’s just easier to deal with it on your own? Maybe it will just go away?

King David fell into this way of thinking. After he committed adultery with a married woman and then plotted the murder of her husband, he didn’t want his sin exposed. He tried to deal with his dangerous spiritual condition on his own. Fortunately, God graciously sent the prophet Nathan to speak to David and conduct a spiritual examination on his heart, leading David to finally confess his sins.

In Psalm 139, a spiritually restored David now shows us the only way to deal with our sinful condition. Here it is: ask God to perform a thorough examination of our heart and look for any spiritual afflictions. Confess our sins to God who knows our heart completely. God is the expert on our spiritual health and dealing with sin. He knows just how sinfully broken and corrupt we are and how desperately we need fixing. In his incredible mercy, he gives us the fix—his Son Jesus! Jesus took the fatal disease of sinful humanity on himself and died with it on the cross so that we might be cured.

This Lenten season, don’t shy away from the spiritual examinations God desires for your heart. Instead, like David, go to God in repentance. Ask him to search your heart and to lead you in the way everlasting.

Prayer: O Great Physician of the soul, search my heart. Expose the sin and corruption that lie there. Have mercy on me and assure me of your forgiveness. Amen.

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Then the king [David] said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.”
2 Samuel 15:25-26

Squad problems: Drama queens

The Question: Some of my friends do things for attention all of the time. It’s really annoying. How should I deal with them?

Remember David? He was that famous king of Israel who killed Goliath with a stone and slingshot. God blessed King David with many long years of prosperity and peace.

There was someone in David’s life who wanted all the attention—David’s son, Absalom. Absalom would sit at the gate of the city, listen to people’s problems and say, “If I were king, things would be different.” Absalom wanted the attention. He wanted to be loved by everyone. He wanted to be king. And it worked! Absalom was able to turn the country against David.

David, his whole family, and the people who were faithful to David had to pack their things and run for their lives. Some priests brought the ark of God with David. They knew that where the ark is, God is. So, if the ark was with David, God would be with David and will bless him. But what did David say? “Take the ark back.”

What’s the lesson for us? David knew and trusted that God is fully in control of everything that is happening. If God wanted Absalom to be king, he would be king. If God wanted David to be king, David would be king.

Yes, our friends can grab the spotlight, and that can be frustrating especially if it comes at our expense. Take a deep breath. God knows what is happening. If God allows your friend to have that attention, it is for a reason. If God wants you to have more attention, you’ll get it. There is no need to stress over something that God is in complete control of. This truth also comes with a promise. God works out all things for the good just like he did for David.

Prayer: My Father in heaven, too often I stress over things that are beyond my ability to control. Sometimes my heart gets so heavy, and I feel insignificant and invisible. O Savior, tell me that isn’t so! Come close to me, my Lord. Whisper again into my heart your warm words of forgiveness, love, and promise. Only you can truly fill my inner emptiness. Help me not to seek the spotlight. Instead, I will trust you to lift me. Amen.

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Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.” His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.”
Judges 14:1-3

Squad problems: Self-destructive

The Question: What should I do when my friend is involved in self-destructive behavior?

The struggle is, “How much does God expect me to do?” Samson’s father gives us some answers.

First of all, God wants us to be a good influence. You can encourage your friend with words and remind them what is God pleasing. You can also influence them by letting your good behavior rub off on them. BE CAREFUL! Don’t let their bad behavior influence you.

Second, know that you are not responsible for your friend’s behavior. God wants you to influence, warn, and love, but at the end of the day, your friend is responsible for their own actions.

Finally, pray and give thanks. Pray that God would lead your friend to change their ways. Pray that God would give you the right words to say and make you a good influence. Pray that God would use this situation for your friend’s good. And give thanks that Jesus has died on the cross for your and your friend’s sins.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for friends of mine who are caught up in self-destructive behavior. Thank you for your promise never to leave or forsake them and to work this moment of life for their future good. Assured of your love for them, guide my words and behavior to reflect my love for them and the power of Christ to assist and save them. Amen.

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2020 was a tough year. As we look into the new year, what are some of the lessons we learn by looking back?

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18

Make peace, not war

How do you feel about Donald Trump, the phrase “Black Lives Matter,” and wearing a mask?

More importantly, how do you interact with someone who views each of these topics differently than you?

This might seem strange, but do you have four minutes right now?

If you want to do something that will change your day for the better (and maybe change your year), read all of Romans 12 right now. It takes about two minutes to read.

Read it a second time. This time ask yourself, “What if every Christian I know lived this way?” What would be different in our world? Now ask yourself, “Do I live this way?”

No doubt, you’d want to be around a person like Paul describes in the chapter: self-sacrificing, humble, uses their talents for others, sincere, devoted, joyful, patient, faithful, sharing, hospitable, peaceful, forgiving, trusting the Lord for vengeance.

When you read this list, you might start to feel guilt. That’s because you don’t live like that all the time.

That’s why it’s so important to know that Paul starts off the chapter with this—“In view of God’s mercy…”

We won’t become people of peace unless we fully take in the fact that Jesus fought our spiritual war in our place—and won. We already have ultimate peace that no one can take from us.

You won’t become a person of peace unless you view those you disagree with as the same as you—souls whom Jesus suffered and won peace for.

Who do you disagree with? What’s one thing you can do today to be a person of peace with that individual?

Prayer: Lord, let me take in your mercy for me. I so often put myself first. Thank you for not acting like me. You put me and all people first by sending Jesus to fight for me and give me peace. Help me put others first and be a person of peace. Amen.

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2020 was a tough year. As we look into the new year, what are some of the lessons we learn by looking back?

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Time well spent

How many things were canceled during 2020 for you?

Maybe you laughed out loud just now (or maybe you groaned) because TONS of things were canceled.

We learned this past year to expect things to change at a moment’s notice and that plans are not permanent.

It’s actually good we experienced this. Why? Because our lives can be canceled at a moment’s notice. We don’t know how long God plans for each of us to live on this planet.

Thankfully, we don’t have to wrestle with fear about this, because we know that for believers in Jesus, death is a tool God uses to bring us into heaven.

So, the question is, how do we use the time that we have?

Well, the verse for today is a prayer from Moses—the faithful leader who God used to bring the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He knew a lot about how things do not always go as you planned.

He is asking God to remind us to have a good sense of urgency in our lives since we don’t know when they’ll end. When we sense that our earthly lives are urgent and won’t go on forever, suddenly our priorities change. We become wiser in how we spend our time.

Hopefully 2020 taught you about the things that matter most: Your connection to Jesus. Your connection to other believers. Growing in your faith. Worshiping God through everything you do. Using your talents and time to serve others. And, sharing Jesus with those who don’t know him.

Which of the things mentioned above do you want to spend more doing in 2021? What’s one small step you can take right now to make that happen?

Prayer: Lord, you are the only thing that has lasted and will last forever. You are eternal. My life on earth is not. Teach me each day to live with a good sense of urgency so that I might focus on the things that matter most to you. Amen.

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“B.C.” is the title of this month’s devotions. Each one highlights a prophecy indicating Christmas would happen long before that night Jesus was born dividing time itself into B.C. and A.D.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
And he will be our peace.
Micah 5:2,5

The place

Were you born in a special place? I was born in a doctor’s office. My mother didn’t even make it to the hospital. It was some small town in Arizona that no one’s ever heard of. You have to really zoom in to find it on a map app.

If you were to choose the place where the Savior of the world was going to be born, do you think it would be some small place? Some town that’s hard to find on a map? Yet, that’s exactly what God did!

About 500 years before Jesus was born, God promised to bring the Savior from the town of Bethlehem, a small, insignificant dot on the map. What does that tell us about our God? It tells us that he can bring great blessings from the most unlikely of places. God likes to use the poor, the simple, and the weak things in life in order to show his power.

The Savior of the world would not be born in a great and powerful city, but in a small town. Insignificant shepherds would be the first to hear of God’s love born in the Christ child. It doesn’t matter who you are and where you come from, you see a Savior who relates to and loves you.

If you go to church because you feel at peace with God, but lose it once you leave, you forgot to take something home with you … Jesus! This Christmas, Bethlehem is the most peaceful place on earth to be because the babe of Bethlehem will be our peace. He’s your PEACE!

Prayer: Gracious Savior, you came from nothing to save us from the insignificance of this world. Your love and sacrifice prove that your greatest gifts—forgiveness and eternal peace—come from an unlikely place, a Savior born and laid in Bethlehem’s manger. All this for me. Amen.

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“B.C.” is the title of this month’s devotions. Each one highlights a prophecy indicating Christmas would happen long before that night Jesus was born dividing time itself into B.C. and A.D.

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
Isaiah 40:3-4

The voice

He visits with several teenagers each week. They walk into his counseling office to talk through the issues they are facing and the struggles they are having. Topics range from addiction to suicide to depression to anger and more. This counselor spends hours each week listening to what’s eating away at all of these teenagers.

It’s complex. But among the many commonalities, one stuck out. He said, “There are so many voices vying for their attention and affection. The hard part is to realize the seldom few that are actually trying to help them.”

Social media, school, friends, family, the news, marketing—can you hear and even see all the voices that want something from you? In a world that cares mostly about getting and taking, can you see that so much of what we hear isn’t trying to help us? Especially as we get closer to Christmas, countless voices want our time, our attention, our money, our allegiance, our clicks, our love. And what can the world give in return? Short-lived pleasure or happiness at best?

That’s why God, through his Word, gives us noise-canceling headphones which tune into a clear voice that promises and provides. Long before Jesus ever came, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah about a voice in the wilderness. He would point people to the One who would give the life we cannot find in this world. John the Baptist would point people to the coming Savior, Jesus Christ, not because God wants to take our money, time, and energy like this world. Rather, God wants to give. In Jesus, we have a smooth pathway to life with God. He perfectly lived through all the highs and lows of his life, and even died on the cross to give us eternal peace so that we would know that his voice is the one that promises everything and actually delivers.

Prayer: Gracious Savior, tune my ears to listen to all of your eternal promises. Help me cancel out the noise as I trust in you. Amen.

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This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:3-4

The gospel comes first

Was your preferred candidate elected as president earlier this month? Is your political party of choice in control in our country? Do you think our country is doing fine, or do you think there is massive need for change and improvement? Do you want to be active in political thought and discussion? Do you want to be an advocate for change? Or are just not interested and want to go back to your latest TikTok marathon session?!

What is a Christian to think or do with politics and government today? What should be my greatest concern?

This whole month we’ve had devotions that have refocused our hearts and minds to be in line with what God says in his Word regarding these topics. However, as we work with God’s strength to honor and respect those whom God has established as our leaders, there is much freedom that we have in our political choices and beliefs. Thanks be to God that we can have differing viewpoints and philosophies and still be brothers and sisters in Christ! That said, there is a non-negotiable for life in this world and under any government. That would be this—the gospel always takes priority.

The joy of our Christian faith is that the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ—is what took priority in the heart of our God. In his grace and goodness, he revealed his own good news to us—that he does in fact want all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. What amazing love, that God would desire first and foremost that sinners be forgiven, saved, and join him in life everlasting!

In the same, the love of Christ compels us to make the gospel a priority as well. You may think this or that about Republicans or Democrats, you may desire this or that as a reform in our country, and you may want him or her to be the next leader of your community or our country. Yet while we may lovingly and respectfully disagree on some of these points, we can all be in complete unity in our desire for other people to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Governments and leaders come and go, but the soul is an eternal matter. How important it is for us to urgently seek the salvation of souls through faith in Jesus Christ!

Dear Christian, watch your life, your heart, and your words carefully. Satan would divide us by frustration, anger, and hatred. And if he can divide us from each other in our country enough, he hopes to perhaps divide and separate us also from our God. Don’t let the things of this life and our country distract you from the greatest goal and good—the salvation of souls. As Christ has put us first when he came to save us, so we can put our neighbor first. In our lives, our hearts, and our words, let’s look for ways to let the gospel ring out clearly so that others may be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we live under a government which you have established, help us to make it a priority to share the salvation which you have won. Give us hearts that earnestly seek to share gospel with others, that they too may be saved and join us in life everlasting. Amen.

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