Originally posted July 12, 2010. Reposted September 12, 2011.
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In my devotional time I’ve been reading through the New Testament in The Message translation and I’m finally in the last book: Revelation. This is a tough book to read. Symbolism, the apocalypse, judgement, death, and suffering are common themes in many of its chapters.. Because of this, its easy to read a chapter or two in Revelation and walk away without feeling motivated or inspired.
Today was different. I read two chapters about plagues that would harm the earth and kill billions of people; it was kinda depressing. Then I read:
The remaining men and women who weren’t killed by these weapons went on their merry way— didn’t change their way of life, didn’t quit worshiping demons, didn’t quit centering their lives around lumps of gold and silver and brass, hunks of stone and wood that couldn’t see or hear or move. ~Rev 9:20 (MSG)
After reading about plagues and suffering, this verse stood out to me. Why? Because it reminds me of myself.
How many times have I finished a semester in the “school of hard knocks” only to return on my “merry way” and not change my way of life? Too often. Painful times should draw us to God, but all too often they don’t. Too often, we survive a painful season and still center our lives around lumps of gold, silver, brass, stone and wood (material things), rather than centering our lives around God.
The chief lesson taught in the “school of hard knocks” is that we should trust and serve God only. Because we don’t learn this lesson, we are stubborn, foolish people. Sometimes I think I’m the stubbornest and most foolish of us all.
Lord, teach me to depend wholly on You rather than things. Change my stubbornness into teachability. Change my foolishness into faith. A-men