August 10th
Read: Matt. 6:19-34; Numbers 15:37-41; Luke 12:15; Proverbs 4:20-27
My husband’s pickup truck stood parked in our drive while Jane and I played a word game in our lawn chairs one fine day. A flash of movement near the truck caught my attention. On the bar of the west-coast mirror perched a female cardinal.
She cocked her head as she saw herself reflected in the glass. Remembering the budgie inside in his cage, we expected her to tap the mirror with her beak, but not so. Instead she flew around the mirror to look at the back, expecting to find a real bird there! Not finding that bird, she flew back to her perch on the mirror’s bar and watched her own reflection for several moments before repeating her flight to inspect the back of the mirror.
Amused, we went back to our game, while her performance continued for some time. At last she gave up her search for that elusive bird in the glass and flew off about other business. She returned later in the day and resumed her antics, much effort spent with little return.
The corollary comes to mind. So often we seek after the elusive things of this world instead of the realities of God. So many leave the real issues of life to pursue the will-o-the-wisp dreams of their own hearts, and the search is fruitless. How much better to `seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness’, as the Bible instructs, than to `spin our wheels’ in a fruitless search for that elusive `something’ which we think will make us content.
HIS RICHES ARE MINE
God gives to me all I require
Of substance here on earth.
Though other hearts may know desire,
I never know a dearth
Of riches that He sends.
The priceless jewel of love is mine
In a setting known as home;
Created by His great design,
Wherever I may roam
`Tis there each pathway wends.
I wear the soft, warm robes of peace,
Contentment in each fold;
`Broidered there on every crease
Is joy my heart shall hold
Howe`er long life extends.
I hear the music of the spheres
In concert played for me;
God’s artwork of ten thousand years
Is hung for me to see
In a gallery which He tends.
My head is crowned with golden life,
My hands bejewelled with tasks;
I’m shod with strength to walk through strife;
I’m blessed with a mind that asks
And a Savior who befriends.
All sweet desire, all power and might
Are given in love to me
When in the Lord I find delight
And in His way walk free
As it evermore ascends.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please keep me on the right path and following You, not my own inclinations. I don’t want to waste my time in fruitless search for contentment when it is mine already in You.