Daily Reading: Matthew 19
Scripture Focus: “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Matthew 19.20-21)
Devotional Thought: Often when I'm preparing for a meeting, I will get a sense that I'm forgetting something. Usually that niggling is accurate, and I remember an important detail that I had overlooked before.
The rich young ruler in Matthew 19 was like that. He was preparing for a 'meeting' with God - the judgment. He had done all he knew to do, yet he came asking Jesus, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" (Matthew 19.16) Clearly, this man was not satisfied with his religion (BBC). He felt a lack inside. We must not ignore those spiritual nigglings! They are the voice of God preparing us for a meeting with him.
This young man was troubled and impotent, lacking spiritual peace and spiritual power. Jesus immediately saw through his charade of spiritual self-sufficiency and put his finger on the problem. "You love your money too much. You need to divest yourself of all that comes between God and you. Leave it behind and follow me..."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: "Is there some part of your life which you are refusing to surrender at his behest, some sinful passion, maybe, or some animosity, some hope, perhaps your ambition or your reason? If so, you must not be surprised that you have not received the Holy Spirit, that prayer is difficult, or that your request for faith remains unanswered."
Is the Lord niggling you? If you feel a spiritual lack, ask God to reveal what is holding you back. Then surrender that thing and follow Jesus.
Prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded; 2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. 3 Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah 4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush-- "This one was born there," they say. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her"; for the Most High himself will establish her. 6 The LORD records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah 7 Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you." (Psalms 87:1-7)
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