Be Watchful, Be Ready

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will
be delivered. — Prov. 28:26, NIV.
———————
As I travel to other countries I try very hard to make sure my
valuables, passport, and money are secure. In one country my sister and
I were enjoying the beautiful day as we walked around a small town in
the former Eastern bloc. Having never been in this country before, we
were delighted with the window-shopping and were looking over the
interesting souvenirs and the beautiful crystal unique to that area.
After examining a display, I checked my purse and was shocked to see
the zipper half open. I scolded myself for being so careless.

We exited the store and stood on the corner, deciding where to go next.
With amazement, I found the zipper on my purse half open again. I
realized then that something or someone other than my own carelessness
had caused this. I quickly turned around to see a small woman standing
close by who had closely shadowed me in the store and then followed me
outside. I blurted out, “She’s trying to get in my purse!” as she
hurried away and disappeared around the corner. A quick check of the
contents of my purse assured me she hadn’t been able to take anything,
and I sent up a big thank-You to my heavenly Father for His protection
that day.

I had always prided myself on my ability to prevent theft and other
potential tragedies or mishaps when traveling internationally. I knew
that being robbed could never happen to me! Through this experience I
realized how easily we can be lulled into thinking we are prepared. I
also learned to carry my purse in front so I could guard the zipper.

Just as this woman tried to sneak valuables from me, the devil tries to
sneak up on us and is constantly trying to trap us in some unexpected
way. In everyday life we can become deluded into thinking that we are
self-sufficient in resisting the sneaky wiles of the devil, but it is
only by placing our trust in God and through His strength that we are
protected from evil.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your saving grace and for Your protection.
Even though I am weak, You are strong, keeping me on Your path and
protecting me in Your marvelous way. I praise You for guiding my steps,
and I am longing to dwell with You forever.

–Ginger Snarr

———————
This devotional is also available as part of a yearly devotional book,
Colors of Grace, by Ardis Dick Stenbakken, Editor, published by Review
and Herald Publishing Association (www.rhpa.org). To purchase this
book, visit Adventist Book Center Online at www.adventistbookcenter.com

Judge Not

Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)

There is a significant difference between judgment and discernment. God sees people’s hearts and knows their motives (Prov. 16:2). Only God can accurately judge those who deserve punishment. Ultimately, Christ will sit in judgment upon us all in the day of judgment (2 Cor. 5:10). Our problem is that we like to sit in the judgment seat and pronounce condemnation upon those whom we think have sinned! Scripture commands us not to judge or condemn others, for we cannot be judgmental and redemptive at the same time. It is difficult to pray sincerely for someone while we are judging them. At times our judgmental attitude can seem to provide us an excuse not to become involved in God’s redemptive work in someone’s life. Scripture reminds us that God will treat us with the same grace or severity with which we treat others (Luke 6:38).

God commands us not to judge others, but He does want us to be discerning. Jesus said we would know people’s spiritual condition by the fruit of their lives (Matt. 7:16). He said grapes are not produced by thorn bushes. If a person’s life produces thorns, we can assume that person is not a grapevine! Are we being judgmental? No, we are being discerning. Scripture commands us to avoid associating with scoffers or fools (Prov. 22:10; 17:12). Unless we are able to identify scoffers and fools, we cannot obey God’s command. That is not being judgmental, it is being discerning. As Christians, we have been instructed to observe the lives of others so that we can help them while avoiding any sinful influence.

You will be helpful to others only if you see them as God does. If you have been judgmental of others, ask forgiveness and pledge yourself to let God use you as His minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18).

Built on a Rock

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)

The Christian life is hard work. Christianity involves systematically striving to implement the truths of God’s Word into your life. Spiritual depth and maturity do not come without consistent effort.

Jesus had just concluded the Sermon on the Mount, which sets forth some of the most profound truths ever spoken. The Son of God had clearly explained the kind of life that is pleasing to the Father. Yet Jesus knew, even as He was concluding His sermon, that some of His listeners would leave and never apply a word they had heard.

Jesus said that a man who takes the words of God and builds them into his life is like a wise man who builds his house on a rock. Rocks are hard to build on. It takes great effort to attach a foundation to a rock. A house built on sand provides instant comfort; building on a rock is laborious and tedious. Yet building on sand leaves the builder in a vulnerable position, while the one building on the rock is secure.

How can you tell what kind of foundation a life has been built on? Watch to see what happens when a storm comes. A life built upon the Word of God will withstand the very storm that sweeps away the life that did not heed God’s Word.

There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. Maturity only comes through hard work and obedience to what God says. The next time you hear Jesus speaking, immediately begin to firmly build His truth into your life, so that no storm can unsettle you.

Never Too Busy

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. (Luke 10:33)

If anyone could understand the temptation to let busyness distract Him from the Father’s activity, Jesus certainly could! He told a parable that clearly illustrated this danger: A certain Jewish man was on his way to Jericho when he was brutally attacked by thieves and left to die by the road. First a Levite, then a priest, passed by. These were religious leaders; surely they would show compassion to a wounded person! But they had places to go and appointments to keep, so they passed him by. Surely someone else would come along who had more time to help the wounded man! Then a Samaritan, despised by the Jews, came along. Of all people, this man had reason to look the other way, since the wounded man was his enemy. But wherever he was going could wait, for someone needed his help.

It’s easy to become so busy that you are oblivious to those in need. Your schedule can become so full of accomplishing good things that you are of no help to the people around you. God is at work in the lives of your friends, your neighbors, your family members. He may ask you to interrupt your day long enough to join Him as He ministers to them. Nothing on your agenda, no matter how pressing, is reason enough to ignore the voice of God when He tells you to stop and help. If you have become too busy to minister to those around you, ask God to reestablish your priorities so that you do not miss opportunities to serve Him.

Much Beloved

At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision. (Daniel 9:23)

For you are beloved.” Could there be any words from God more welcome than these? Daniel was in exile in Babylon as a result of his nation’s utter defeat by the Babylonians. He desperately wanted to make sense of his circumstances. So he did what he had done so many times before: he prayed. God immediately dispatched the angel Gabriel. Gabriel revealed that God had sent him to Daniel at the beginning of his supplications. God did not even wait for Daniel to finish his prayer. Why? Because God loved Daniel greatly. What a marvelous testimony! There had been times when Daniel’s love for God had been put to the test. Now, when Daniel was in need, God was quick to respond in love to him.

God wants to answer the prayers of those whose hearts are completely His (2 Chron. 16:9). God can accurately orient you to the events of your day. Media, public opinion, and political leaders cannot tell you the truth of your circumstances. Only God can. God loves you and will speak to you in His time. His answer may come immediately as it did in Daniel’s case, or it may be delayed, but it will come (Dan. 10:13). If it seems as though everything is crumbling around you, and you wonder why you do not see God’s activity, take comfort in knowing that you are loved in heaven. If you are genuinely seeking God’s answers, you can go to your Father confidently with your questions. He will respond to you in love (Luke 11:5–13).