Today you should read: Lamentations 4
How the gold has lost its luster! Even the finest gold has become dull. The sacred gemstones lie scattered in the streets! (Lamentations 4:1 NLT)
Let’s get brutally honest for a minute today. We love sin and the “luster” it brings don’t we? We enjoy pride, lust, greed and covetousness. The “treasures” we get and the feelings that follow are exhilarating. I have heard it said that sin would not be tempting if it wasn’t fun. That’s true. If sin didn’t give us the false sense of fulfillment it does, no one would do it. However, it does give us a “reward,” and we like the results of it. At least, the short-term results.
Israel had to have been enjoying themselves as they lived in peace and lived their lives however they wanted, worshipping who or whatever they wanted to. They were living the high life with little regard for God and His laws. Yeah, they may have paid lip service to Him. They showed up at church once in a while, gave a little and even talked a religious game. On the inside, and when others weren’t looking, however, they were amassing “gold”and “sacred gemstones”. So what happened? Well, God sent prophet after prophet with warning after warning that these things would only end up in disaster and now, here we are. The people have been judged, God’s wrath is revealed and all the “gold and sacred gemstones” have been tossed out. They have lost their luster. What once brought Israel security and happiness was now cast in the streets, useless and unwanted.
Now, back to us. What is the “gold” in your life? What are the “sacred gemstones” that you find your comfort in? What is it that you look to for happiness and security? Israel left God to worship idols and wealth. We do too. We all have something that shines for us, something calling to us, fighting to draw us away from God. Please don’t be fooled. These things or these sins will one day bring trouble to you. One day these shiny things will “lie scattered in the streets”. Whatever that is for you, let it go. We should find our hope and peace in God alone. Trust and follow Jesus, not things that only lose their luster over time.
Posted by: Robbie Byrd
JumpstartCPC.com 