HOPEFULLY DEVOTED (07-01-13)

Genesis 22:12

“I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.”

A conversation between a teacher and a student:

TEACHER: Does cold exist?

STUDENT: No sir.  We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have too little heat.

TEACHER: There is darkness!

STUDENT: No sir.  Darkness does not exist either.  Darkness is the total absence of light. You can study light and brightness, but not darkness. Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no or too little light present.

TEACHER: Did God create evil?

STUDENT: No sir, God did not create evil, or at least it does not exist unto itself.  Evil is the absence of God in people's hearts.  It is the absence of love, devotion and faith to God.  Love and faith are like heat and light.  They exist!  Their absence leads to evil!

This conversation could also show another thing - that being perceived as evil could be relative.  A robber could be termed as less evil (hence, lower jail sentence) as compared to rapist or a murderer.  But is it really for us to judge others whether they are evil or good?  Can I really say to others that because I am writing this devotions everyday, then I am already “very good” in the eyes of God as compared to others who just sit around and doing nothing?  Of course not!  Only God can judge whether what we have done here on earth would merit us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  And He, through His son, Jesus, has given us the requirements of being “truly good” in His eyes – love Him fully and totally and loving others as we love Him and ourselves.

Do not be deceived by evil.  God knows your heart and He has told you what it is to serve Him and you are responsible to do the will of the Father, as He has revealed.  He exist and let Him be present in your heart, forever.

Almighty Father, You are the author and giver of all good things.  Graft in our hearts the love of Your name and nourish in us all goodness.  Amen +

I will walk in the presence of the Lord, in the land of the living.