Daily Devotional for January 3, 2012

1 Chronicles 17:16-20
David went into the tent he had set up for the sacred chest. He sat there and prayed: LORD God, my family and I don't deserve what you have already done for us, and yet you have promised to do even more for my descendants. You are treating me as if I am a very important person. I am your servant, and you know my thoughts. What else can I say, except that you have honored me? It was your choice to do these wonderful things for me and to make these promises. No other god is like you, LORD--you alone are God. Everything we have heard about you is true.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Imagine if someone came to you and said, “You are very important… so important that I am going to do wonderful things in your life and the lives of your family members – and even the lives of your unborn children. You will never want for anything. All of your needs will be met. I’m going to give you mansions and wealth and keep you safe and protected. You will never have to worry about another thing.” What would you think? Would you believe it? Supposed this came from someone you knew to be rich and famous – powerful – and able to easily afford to take care of you and your family. Would you believe it then?

Now imagine that God is telling you this… that He is promising to meet all of your needs, protect you from enemies, do wonderful things in your life and the lives of your family… and give you all mansions for all Eternity. Imagine that you are very important to God. Do you believe this?

The first scenario is pie in the sky. Oh, it might happen, but the odds are clearly not in your favor – and most likely there would be strings attached. But God has already been doing this for us… and you can take His promises all the way to the bank! Does this mean you never have to work another day? Absolutely not! God will see that your needs are met, but that probably means He will help you find a job to earn money and pay your bills. He will give you talents, skills and abilities that enable you to work and earn a living. He will keep you healthy – and heal you when you are ill. He may also allow you to struggle in order to keep you humble and faithful to Him.

Are there strings attached to the honor and blessings of God? Only one… God wants you to trust Him… to love Him… to serve Him wholeheartedly. In return, He pretty much gives us “the keys to the Kingdom.” I’ve never heard of anyone else who promises this. I don’t know any other gods who offer eternal mansions on streets paved with gold – and certainly no mere mortals who can deliver this! I haven’t heard about any other gods who can keep us safe and meet all of our needs every minute of the day. I don’t know any other gods who have chosen us for such blessings – and delivered them continually.

Truly, our God is an awesome God. Surely, He alone is God Almighty, and there is none other like Him. Have you recognized this? Have you thanked Him for loving you and honoring you with such great gifts? Have you given Him your heart and soul in return? Isn’t it about time you did?

©2012 Debbie Robus

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