Daily Devotion, October 19, 2020

 

Devotion: Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-58.

Paul, assuming the Second Coming of Christ would happen during the lifetime of his audience, urges them and us to be ready. His point is that Christ’s return and our physical deaths happen without notice, and we must live ready, standing firm, and giving ourselves fully to the work of our Lord.

Interestingly, just before reading this passage to prepare this devotion, I was reading in Genesis of Isaac, the son of Abraham to whom the covenant had passed. Symbolically, Isaac went back across the land, redigging the wells his father had dug, showing respect for the faith and tradition of his father. But, more importantly, Isaac began to dig his own wells, showing his own faith. Isaac was giving himself fully. The study manual I was using asked one of those excellent questions that I dislike, essentially asking how my life is a reflection of total commitment to God’s work. As I wrote my answer, I was confronted with the unasked question as to what I am holding back. We like escape clauses in our contracts, and “outs” in our commitments. In today’s passage, Paul is calling us to live our lives totally committed, standing firm, ready, and prepared. That means today, right now, and for the rest of our lives. Hmmm!  Personal Worship Option: As you pray today, thank God for the good and abundant life on this earth and the joy of family and friends. Ask God to help you see what you might be holding back and keeping you from being fully committed to Christ. Pray for the courage to be “all in,” and go for it! Remember, God answers our prayers.