20 JAN 23 Friday: A Closer Walk Devotional
“Slaves obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all of your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.” Ephesians 6:5-8
In the last three years, our nation and much of the world have looked back on history with today’s shifting virtues and values in disgust. They condemn the current generation for the way their forefathers held or traded slaves. The history of every nation on earth has had slavery and is not unique to the USA. God knew from before creation how sin would affect our treatment of one another.
God also created the plan to solve the issue of our brokenness and sin. At the same time, God has placed people into the nation we live in, the body we have, and our position in the socio-economic strata. What we do with that depends on our relationship to God. His children are instructed how to live no matter where we are or our situation. Whether rich or poor, slave or free, we can live to glorify God and have a joyful life.
Suffering, persecution, and even death is to be expected if you are God’s child because the world hates God and therefore by extension hates you. There is joy now in the midst of this struggle and hope for the future for God’s children. God gives a future in his presence and a new heaven and earth to live in. God will deal with the children of wrath, their future is secure in the lake of fire.
Are you complaining about life and others or rejoicing into eternity?
Reading Plan: Psalm 31; Isa. 45:18-25; Eph. 6:1-9; Mark 4:35-41
Daily Office Year 1
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