Today’s Scripture: Judges 17-21

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. – 1 Timothy 6:10

In Judges 18, a son steals money from his mother, but returns it for fear of a curse she pronounced on the thief. The silver in question is soon forged into the image of a pagan god, but in fact, this money had become a god in the lives of these two long before it took the form of an idol.

In chapter 19, we find the same theme, a Levite who cannot resist an offer of wages, clothing, and food. Clearly, these material concerns have crowded out his desire to serve the Lord. When a more attractive financial offer is made, he accepts it without seeking spiritual counsel or the will of God. If it would give him more money, that was all that mattered.

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Samuel 19-20

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29

In 2 Samuel 19, we see David snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. After his army triumphed over the rebellion of Absalom, David was in tears. His men had won the battle, but he was making them feel as if they’d lost. It’s normal for a father to grieve the death of his son, but there was a problem here. The men in the army who had fought in this battle saw David’s tears and assumed he was angry with them. The Bible says, “The men stole into the city that day as men steal in who are ashamed when they flee from battle” (2 Samuel 19:3).

I wonder how often we do the same thing with our kids. Billy comes home from school with a good grade on a math paper and we greet him with criticism for not making his bed. Susie does a great job in a school play and we’re angry because she hasn’t done anything on her science project. We’re taking a victory and turning it into a defeat for those we love. There’s a time to discuss the dirty room and the science project, but it isn’t on the heels of a victory.

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Today’s Scripture: Genesis 3-5

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked… He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. – Psalm 1:1,3

The greatest lie ever told comes at the beginning of the saddest story ever written. “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat [this fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5). Adam and Eve believed the lie and ate the only fruit God had kept from them.

As Genesis 3 opens, we see our first parents enjoying a life of fellowship with God in a garden home filled with His abundant provision. They were holy. They were experiencing the grace and blessing of God. Everything that surrounded them was good. But in one devastating stroke, the scene changes.

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Today’s Scripture: Genesis 3

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? – Romans 6:16

When someone tells us not to do something, it makes us want to do it all the more, sort of like the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Here was a lush, beautiful garden filled to overflowing with wonderful things to eat, and all available for the taking. But there was one tree in the midst of the garden the Lord declared out of bounds. Adam and Eve were not to eat its fruit.

But, of course, they did. Notice this tree and its forbidden fruit were not evil things. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed, they knew they were in big trouble–so big, in fact, that the effects of their sin are still felt today by the entire human race.

Now why do you think these two indulged their appetites on something that was forbidden when they had so many other choices?

We must take very seriously the biblical admonition to be content with our personal lot. Ask the Lord to give you the attitude of the apostle Paul: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11).

Secondly, ask God to give you a healthy fear of the consequences of giving in to the sins of the flesh. I’ve found that temptation makes a sin seem very attractive, but it’s a lie. After I’ve done wrong, the sin that seemed so attractive is disgusting and short-lived.

Prayer

Lord, through your Holy Spirit, I want to be a thoughtful, obedient person who considers the consequences of sin and says “no” instead of letting desire take control. Amen.

To Ponder

Are you content with the life God has given you?

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Today’s Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-23

Don’t be afraid… Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. – 2 Kings 6:16

Most nations of the world have some sort of standing army–men and women whose sworn duty it is to defend the land against enemies. They stand ready to carry out the orders of the commander in chief.

The kingdom of God also has a commander in chief, and a huge standing army as well. God is the commander. He is called the Lord of hosts, and He has at His command a host of angels standing ready in battle array to carry out His orders. Angels are more than messengers of God, they are also the army of God, committed to win the battles of God.

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