Devotional for September 6th

A Heart for The Seasons

In my devotional Master of Our Freewill dated August 25th, 2006, I quoted Luke 12:34 saying, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Beloved, where is your treasure today? Is your heart with it? As Christians, we are taught and encouraged to look to our heavenly treasures. As human beings, we are under a constant reminder of the power and influence of money. Such a situation often draws us into a dilemma in our decision making.

I once heard a story about a Christian brother's confession during his escape from Vietnam. It goes back to the time when Vietnam was divided. The said brother was a rich man living in the South. He enjoyed his living and business before the South was annexed by the North. As South Vietnam was tumbling, he had to desert his business and join a massive exodus to flee out of Vietnam. During his escape to the nearby countries, he could still travel in a Mercedes Benz with his family! He figured out a clever idea to hide his treasure by forcing all his bank notes into an empty tyre. Unfortunately, the vehicle broke down in the middle of an isolated area. His family had to spend the cold night there. Without suitable firewood or other materials to light a fire, he finally had to burn up his treasured bank notes for his family's sustenance! Tears immediately rushed down from his eyes. His heart was aching with a strong sense of distress and repentance – he was so sad that he had not used the money wisely to support his church and God's kingdom while he was free to do that. Things were too late then because he was running for his survival in a country filled with hatred.

Beloved, does the above story remind you of any thing? It really enlivens the parable in Matthew 25:14-29 about the burden of servants to make profits on behalf of their master. Isaiah 55:6 urges us to seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near. Let's learn from the aforesaid story and prepare ourselves against possible crises in our lives. The Apostle Paul's reminder (I Thess. 5:1-2) is germane – But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.