Devotion for Friday, October 20, 2023 - Lutheran Coalition for Renewal (CORE)

“[C]argo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; every kind of citron wood, every article of ivory, and every article made from very valuable wood, bronze, iron, and marble; cinnamon, spice, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, and cargo of horses, carriages, slaves, and human lives” (Revelation 18:12-13).

From Wall Street to Walmart, and especially during the holiday seasons, it becomes a mad rush to buy things. We may not need them, or even want them, but they are purchased. Mounds of expectations satisfy the advertisements that tell us we need these things. Do we listen to the Word of the Lord as we listen to all the hype? Are we as fervent for the Lord as we are for our desires for things?

Lord, what a crazy world this has become. We go shopping and it looks like one giant ant hill. Why do I get so caught up in the insanity? Why do I not shed myself from these things and simply live for You. Save me Lord from this mess, too. Everywhere I turn, I see the need for salvation. Guide me in Your goodness to live according to Your grace and mercy.

Lord Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, minister to my heart so that I would live simply and accept that You alone are the source of all things. All the jewels and precious stones are Your creation. The gold and silver are Yours also. Help me to look to You, the source of all that is precious and beautiful, to live as You have created me to live. Guide me this day through the mess of this world. Amen.