Verse of the Day 3/30

Through the Bible - Proverbs 19-21, Hebrews 1

 

Good morning,

As you read through yesterday's list of things that waste our time and keep us from spending time with God, did the word "vanity" come to mind?  Chasing "vain" things is an age old problem, perhaps best chronicled by Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes.  In chapter 3 we read that God has "placed eternity into our hearts" but that our hearts are restless and we end up chasing the wind.

 

For today's verse we'll go to 1 Samuel 12 where we find Samuel's farewell address to the congregation, to the nation.  The verses point out that while it is still today, there is still time to turn aside from these things and our ways and turn towards the Lord.

 

1 Sam 12:20 And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet  do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And  do not turn aside after  empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.   ESV

The prophet encouraged the people to turn aside from going after "empty things", hollow things, that cannot deliver the joy or satisfaction that they so often promise.

 

As we head towards Easter I couldn't help but think of the huge chocolate Easter bunnies that you would see as a child.  You wanted them, they looked huge and you thought you'd be able to feast on them for days.  Then you opened the box only to find that it was hollow, only a thin layer of chocolate that was not even of the same quality as your everyday candy bar.

 

Are we ready to stop chasing the hollow things of this world, the vain things that charm us most? 

 

As I thought of that last line, the words to the old hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" came to mind.

 

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

If you have been journaling, perhaps you would consider what some of the vain things are in your life and turn them over to God.  May you return to your journal someday and rejoice in the power of His grace.

 

"Grace is not an excuse for weakness; it is an endless resource for strength."  - Ray Ortlund- "Strengthened by Grace"

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

1 Sam 12:16-13:1

 

16 "Now therefore, stand and see this great thing which the Lord will do before your eyes: 17 Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the Lord, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking a king for yourselves."

 

18 So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.

 

19 And all the people said to Samuel,"Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves."

 

20 Then Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. 22 For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king."   NKJV