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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 17, 2005 A GREAT QUESTION |
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Frontline Devotion for Thursday, February 17, 2005 By
Pastor Dave Sonnenberg
Matthew
19:16-26
In the society in which we live, we are taught by advertising and the consumer
mentality that we are “lacking”. That may seem like an odd thing to
say, but when you really think about it consumer society is always trying to
teach us that we can have more, should have more, and deserve more. New
products are presented in such a way that we are made to feel like we are
missing out if we aren’t on the bandwagon as a new purchaser.
Before we totally pick on the rich young man in today’s text, let us give him
some credit for asking a great question. After saying to Jesus that he
kept virtually all the commandments, he asks Jesus, “what do I lack?”
To lack something is to be deficient or missing something. It is to be
“short or have need of something.” It appears to me that the young man
lacked a very important realization; he appears to have defined his life by what
belongs to him rather than who he belongs to. He is defined more by his
possessions than by the one who invites him to his loving embrace. The
pity in this is that the young man could not turn and receive that embrace.
One of the translations of Psalm 23 begins with the powerful words, “The Lord
is my Shepherd. I will not lack.” I invite you to ponder that
today. The Lord is not promising to provide us with all our wants and
desires, but God promises to provide us with what we need to live on. The
key thing with this image is that the lord promises to walk side by side, paying
attention to us, steering us in his directions, and lifting us to new ways of
living. Psalm 23 reminds us that we do not lack in the presence of
God. We lack when we define ourselves by our possessions, when we rely on
ourselves only, and when we refuse to grow when Christ invites us to new
possibilities.
The Lord is your Shepherd. You will not lack (in his presence).
Lord Jesus, you provide for me each and every day. My life is not defined
by the amount of my possessions. My life is defined by my relationship
with you. Bring me close. Show me how you provide for those who
trust in you. Teach me your ways. Help me to take steps of faith.
Bless me so I can bless others. Amen
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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