Daily Reading: Luke 16
Scripture Focus: What is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16.15)
Devotional Thought: They loved money, position, and power. They weren't impressed with Jesus. But, Jesus had some sobering words for them: "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God."
What is exalted among men today? Much like the powerful Roman culture of Jesus’ day, wealth, independence, power, control, success, progressive thinking, and tolerance are now considered the highest virtues.
But, God did not design us to be proudly independent, rather to be humbly dependent on him. He did not design us to be in control, but to surrender control to him. We are not to put our hope in the treasures of this world, but to store up treasures in heaven. We are not to conform to the patterns of the world in regards to personal wealth and success, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds through the Spirit.
If we are living to justify ourselves before men, we cannot also be living as “slaves to righteousness” (Rom. 6:18) – the two goals could not be more different. As Jesus declares in this chapter, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (v.13). If we (our actions or our ideals) are not coming against any worldly opposition, then the question must be asked: Whom are we living to please?
Jenny
Prayer: Father, help me to love what you love and to hate what you hate. I do not want to be justified in my own sight, O Lord, but to be justified in your sight. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 140.7-13
7 O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. 8 Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah
9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! 10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise! 11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!
12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.
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