A high-scale department store in downtown Manhattan was broken into in the darkness of night. The crime was swift, and the criminals got away without a trace. All the crime agencies were now there scouring for prints, checking cameras and assessing the loss. But nothing was stolen! As confused as they were, they agreed to open at 10 AM as planned. But soon, the crime was found.
Price tags were switched! The silk scarf that was $50.00 now had a price tag of a gold watch at $2000.00. The silver bracelet now cost the same as high-end leather furniture, and the furniture was priced as near worthless. Do we realize that this is how Satan works?
“The great deceiver” will work tirelessly to make us think that this temporal life is far more valuable than eternity. He switches the tags. We put so much energy into making our existence here as close to heaven as we can get it, and we forget that we were told to “Lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where rust and moths cannot destroy.” We live like “now” is all we have.
Jesus pleaded with the Church of Laodicea - a church marked by a smug, self-sufficiency; consumed with comfort and prosperity... “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire that you may be rich; and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” (Revelation 3:18)
Notice, this message is to the end-times church… that’s us. We need to be reminded that what we’ve valued as having great worth has been wrong. We should desire “Refined gold” - a character reflecting the riches of Christ, that has been purified of the dross of this world and reflects Him.
“White clothes” should be a call to receive Christ as Savior and receive His robe of Righteousness. It implies a purity before our Holy God, with a lifestyle of righteous deeds that mark us as His child.
And “Salve” for clear vision, should be our life’s greatest desire. To have spiritual sight; to view our confusing and deceptive world through the spiritual lens of His Word, in order that we may see all situations with the Utmost clarity.
May we see what has worth through His eyes.
(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)
Comments