Devotion for Wednesday, September 14, 2022

“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).

What can be added to this list?  It is a great list, but many do not do this.  Oh, there is respect in these things for some.  There is love for some.  There is honor if it is a Caesar that you admire.  But these things are decided by the self and not applied in the whole.  Scripture is teaching us that uniformity is important.  We do not get to choose who our neighbor is.  Everyone means everyone and not just a few.

Lord, I may not like it when it feels like You are taking it to the extreme; but I am the one who is extreme.  I want to pick and choose.  But I am not You, who makes all the rules.  Dear Lord, lead me out of this mess to live in You.  Guide me out of my desire to be in control in order that You would be the One who leads my life.  I do not know how, but You do.  You must be the One who leads me.

Lord Jesus, You taught us that You did nothing on Your own but spoke the words the Father gave You to speak.  So also, lead me to not try to figure out my own words, but  speak the words the Father gives me to speak.  Lead me to learn what it means to always be faithful.  Lead me to learn how to love everyone, being honorable and always loving in all circumstances.  Amen.