October 22
Jer 39:1-41:18 | PS 90:1-91:10 | Prov 26:1-2 | 2 Tim 1:1-18
It's sad but so many seek relevance by climbing to the top of whatever and wherever they deem important at the time. Some set their eyes to be the BMOC, or the Big Man On Campus. Others seek to be the leader of street gang. But you can carry that out to the leader of a corporation or even a nation. These are all examples of being power hungry or self-seeking rather than God-seeking. After the good King Josiah dies, we see a steady stream of kings all doing whatever is necessary to hold onto a kingdom which is slipping away due to the sins of the people, which they fail to see. Interestingly, once defeated, an outsider from Babylon clearly sees the situation accurately as we read in Jeremiah 40:2-3, "The captain of the guard called for Jeremiah and said, “The Lord your God has brought this disaster on this land, just as he said he would. For these people have sinned against the Lord and disobeyed him. That is why it happened." With the overwhelming majority taken away into captivity, the King of Babylon leaves a ragtag group behind and places Gedaliah as governor of what is left of Judah. But no sooner is he placed in charge that there is a conspiracy underway to eliminate him and take over, which is accomplished through the hands of Ishmael son of Nethaniah. It never ends well for those who are self-seeking for fame and power are always fleeting, never satisfy, and will be forgotten soon after one is out of the limelight. It simply is never what one thinks and never lasts.
Paul, in the eyes of many, spending many of his later years in captivity in one form or another, was always God-seeking and thus remained relevant until the end of his time on earth. We read in 2 Timothy 1:8-9, "So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus." Paul realized that he was called to holiness, or to separate himself from those worldly things that seek to elevate above the things of God. He goes on in 1:12, "That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return." Paul saw things correctly, with eyes on eternity and away from that which is temporal, he moved forward in the upward call of Christ, not seeking worldly things.
These are examples for us. What is it that defines our lives? What is our driving power each day? We either live for ourselves or for God. We either seek to be defined by God or by the world. One leads to joy which cannot be taken away while the others might have times of happiness but can never last. Who doesn't have trophies and awards collecting dust from previous worldly accomplishments long since forgotten. Leading others to Jesus matters. Being able to disciple others matters. These rewards will likely never be seen on earth, and might not even be realized by ourselves, but God notices and He cares and these are the actions which He desires from His children. So we must decide daily to focus on that which is temporal or that which is eternal. Of course you must try hard in school, be a diligent worker, etc., but even in these mission fields you are surrounded by so many people who don't know the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. So how about introducing someone today to Him, you will never regret it.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: