Kingdom Wisdom
Opening Prayer
Counselor, Comforter and Friend, thank You that You are my support in this world. My hope rests in You.
Read Psalm 14:1-7
[1]For the director of music. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. [2] The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. [3] All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. [4] Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the LORD. [5] But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. [6] You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. [7] Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is the perspective of the psalmist?The majority of people say they believe that God exists. Sadly, the actions of most reveal that in their heart of hearts they are living without any reference to him (1). God is looking for those who seek him (2). He says: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you” (Jer. 29:13,14). That’s an amazing promise, which is being fulfilled around the world. In China, for example, after decades of atheistic communism, the number of Christians is growing so steadily that by 2030 it could have more churchgoers than America. One 40-year-old visitor to China’s largest church, the 5,000-capacity Liushi church, was reported in the Daily Telegraph saying: “It is a wonderful thing to be a follower of Jesus Christ. . . If everyone in China believed in Jesus then we would have no more need for police stations. There would be no more bad people and therefore no more crime.” That’s exactly the type of impact the psalmist was longing for (7).
Apply
Talk to a friend about how deeply your choices and actions are revealing devotion to God–or a lack thereof.
Closing prayer
Faithful God, I do not want to say that I love and trust You and yet live a different reality. Please help me.
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