Devotion for Wednesday, November 22, 2023

“Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their foreheads and on their hands; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4).

There are those in the world who go along to get along.  Willing to accommodate just about anything, they compromise and join in the rebellion against the Lord.  With their minds, they check out and do not think.  With their hands, they willingly do whatever the wickedness of the day requires them to do.  The mark of the beast has always been unwillingness to look to the Lord and follow Him in all His ways.

You know on the one hand, Lord, that I am unable to follow You in all of Your ways.  It does not mean that I do not want to, it is just that I often find that I do the things I do not want to do and do not do what I ought.  Surely this is not what You mean for me to do.  But I have been castigated for being Christian.  People do treat me differently, but so what.  Your kingdom is forever.  Lead me to be a part of Your kingdom and not be overly concerned about what others may think of me.

Jesus, Lord and Master, You came the first time to provide salvation for as many as believe.  You are coming the second time to separate out those who chose to walk with You as opposed to those who ignored You and adopted the way of this wicked world.  Guide me Lord Jesus to walk humbly with You, my Lord and Savior, and live according to all the directions You give, doing so as best I can in this wicked world.  Teach me how to increase my faithfulness to You.  Amen.