Thursday Reading: Matthew 22:16-21
Key Verse: Matthew 22:21
21 They said to Him, Caesar's. Then He said to them, Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things which are God's.
Devotion:
How many times have people tempted you into doing earthly things or even confronted you with earthly things and asked whether you would do them or not because of your beliefs. It is strange how the world will look at things of God and see something totally different to the truth; it is almost like they are looking at the things of God through glasses that are coloured to hide many things. God’s truth can be found through His Word and through His Word alone. As it says “there is none righteous, no not one”; so how can people think that they have more authority than God’s Word?
The things of this world belong to the people of the world and there they should stay. We, as God’s children need to make sure that we do not get tangled up into trying to keep the things of this world instead of keeping God’s Word. Far too often we are faced with decisions where we cannot seem to find a pathway forward that is going to please anyone – those are the times that we are not seeking God’s guidance through His Word. Many may say that the bible cannot have all the answers; they see it that way because they do not have the patience to wait on God for an answer. We live in a world where we want things and we want them now! God’s ways are ways of patience and humbleness and unless we are willing to follow those ways we will get caught up in the world’s ways instead!
The world’s ways do not belong with God because they are the ways that man has created to suit his own needs and desires. God’s ways have stood from the beginning of time and will continue to stand far beyond our short life spans. His ways are perfect even if we cannot see that. His ways are the ways that we should seek out so that we can leave the earthly ways behind us for those that refuse to take up His ways. Never leave a person wondering whether you follow God or man; always uphold God’s Word.
Points to Ponder:
What is your guide through life?
Do you really rely on God’s Word?
