The King's Gone Wild!

Daily Reading: 2 Corinthians 8-9

Scripture Focus: So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. (2 Corinthians 8.11)

Devotional Thought: My family and I have recently taken up a game called 5 Crowns. As you work through the 5 suited cards, each number becomes wild, until finally the kings - the highest cards in the game - are wild. The catch phrase for the game is, "It's not over until the kings go wild!"

Paul told that to the Corinthians. He was concerned that the Corinthians were talking a good game, but not following through with the requisite action. He had already told them in his first letter that "The kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power" (1 Corinthians 4.20). Paul, once again, needed to remind them that talk was cheap, but faithfulness was costly. Intentions were nice, but completion was necessary.

The Corinthians had made a big promise to help out the saints in Jerusalem, as they weathered a famine coupled with persecution. In all likelihood, the promise was made with much fanfare. That's the way the Corinthians liked to operate. The time for helping had come and gone, however, and Paul had to remind them of their former pledge: "It's not over until you actually do it. It's not over until King Jesus has gone 'wild' in your life."

Are there things in your life that you were ready - at one time - to do, but that have now been put on the back burner? Are there promises you have made to Jesus? Is there service you have meant to perform for the church? Are there character traits you have pledged to change for the better? Frankly, until Jesus fully reigns in your life, you will probably not get past the talking stage.

Has the King gone wild in your life?

Prayer: King Jesus, forgive me for having big intentions with small follow-through. I now surrender my life to you completely. "Go wild" in my life, Lord, taking control of every action, as well as every intention. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 118.10-13

10 All nations surrounded me;

in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;

in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

12 They surrounded me like bees;

they went out like a fire among thorns;

in the name of the Lord I cut them off!

13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,

but the Lord helped me.