Wednesday 21 Nov 2018

November 21: Proverbs 21:3-4

Key Verse: Proverbs 21:3
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Devotion:
We have been reminded over the last few days about what we need to be doing in our lives, about the Christian duties we have towards each other. Let us never forget just how important these duties are, not just the thoughts of them, but the doing of them. Let us not forget that we are the ones who have to put aside the earthly ways which surround us. We need to remember just how important these things are because of the high regard God has for them. Too many times Christians rest in Christ’s promise that He will save us if we believe in Him; and He will because He has promised us so! But that does not stop the fact we will all face up to what we have done here whilst in His care...

Doing the right thing is more important than the sacrifices we pay because of the sacrifice Christ paid for us. You may well be asking “what sacrifices do I pay?” If we are following God’s Word, then we are bringing the sacrifices of a broken or contrite heart, the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, the sacrifices of our time, our belongings, our hearts... If we are not willing to do our Christian duties with honour and humiliation before God, then are our sacrifices not hollow sacrifices? But are we willing to bring the sacrifice of our treasures to God?

It is the small things in life which will bring us down. It is those same small things that are showing God we do not truly fear Him because we are willing to allow them into our lives on a regular basis. The simple act of elevating ourselves above others is proclaiming our own self-righteousness above the station God has given us. Yes, we do have levels and structures in our society that are there for a reason – what could a teacher do is they were not able to tell the class to be quiet for the lesson? But our pride and greed cause us to lift ourselves in ways that go far and beyond social structure. Our own lack of moral judgement allows us to go with the people around us instead of lifting God and His ways up. Remembering just how important our actions are will help us to remember just how important God is.

Points to Ponder:
Are you really any better than anyone else?

What are you lifting up above God?