“And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.  The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood” (Matthew 27:5-6).

Disgusted, he threw the money away.  It is as if Judas was asking himself why he did it.  The pharisees, always thinking legally, treated the money as if it were tainted rather than thinking it was their souls that were tainted.  They were not thinking the way the Lord would have us think.  They went through the motions utterly lost in their sin.  At every point, we are offered grace to move out of sinning and into learning how to live a life of obedience.

Lord, I see clearly that You are not in the business of condemning us.  The law, strict as it is, has already done that.  You offer us every opportunity to repent, get out of ourselves and learn how to obey Your perfect will.  I cling to what is temporary and do not cling to You who are eternal.  Take me from where I am to where I need to be so that I may walk in the promise of Your salvation.

Lord Jesus, for all these things You went to the cross in order to free me from myself.  Continue the journey with me so that I may run the race and finish the course You have set before me.  Let me not become despondent or so self-absorbed that I take matters into my own hands, but lead me out of myself to learn humility and willing obedience to all that You set before me.  Amen.

“Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” (Matthew 27:3-4)

We may have remorse in our lives, but does it drive us to repentance; or is it one more element of disappointment that reminds us that we are not in control?  Judas betrayed God.  He was used, just as this world uses many, but every opportunity to repent was rejected.  The world says, “What is that to us?”  The Lord desires that we repent and receive His grace.  We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Lord, You know all things.  You know how all of this will play out.  Lead me Lord so that I neither betray You, nor refuse to repent when caught in sin.  You give every opportunity, so help me to take every opportunity that You give.  Lead me out of this world’s way of thinking so that I may put on the mind of Christ.  Help me every step of the way and let my eyes look to You as the source of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You have been betrayed by us all.  Time and again, You offer grace, asking us to repent and turn to You.  Guide me in the way You would have me go so that I live according to the goodness and mercy that You give.  Help me every step of the way so that I walk in Your ways and not according to what I may want or even think.  Lead me in the way of salvation, whatever that may take and whatever that may mean.  Amen.

“For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.  You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.”  (Psalm 66:8-9)

Have you ever thought of the purpose of all the difficulties you have experienced in life?  Not  tests, nor punishments, but they do serve a purpose in helping shape who you are.  All things work together for good and the Lord is purposeful with life.  Look to the Lord who is much smarter than we often even begin to think He is and know that the author of life looks out for you.

Lord, guide me to see a little more clearly that You are not some infantile imagining but the Sovereign of all things.  Help me know that nothing happens that You are not aware of and that You care for Your creation more than we can begin to imagine.  Help me now and always to simply look to You, and give thanks for Your goodness and guidance in all things.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, You allowed some of the worst things that could happen to anyone to happen to You.  Through them You accomplished what You desired for us all.  Through Your salvation, guide me to see more clearly the truth of the ages, knowing that of course all things are in Your hands and You have it all under control.  Lead me to be thankful for all that You do.  Amen.