July 20, 2006
~Real Devo~
Have you ever wanted something bad? Real bad? So much that you were willing to do whatever it takes to get it?
It could be a guy (or a girl), some cool clothes, a place in the pecking order at school or work, or maybe just a little attention that you feel that you deserve.
But what’s the price of the “I Want It Now!” approach in life?
It messes with your dignity, for one. It takes away what you gain when you learn to earn and wait for the things you need, or want, for another.
Waiting is an art, something that seems to be a lost art in our culture. But waiting has some very cool side benefits. You learn what is important, and what is not. Many times you have changed your mind about the person, the thing, or place when you’ve had to sweat to earn it. You realize the cost.
Think about this past week. Have you wanted something so bad that you were willing to put aside your convictions to get it? Did you have to say or do things out of character to make it happen?
If so, take a step back and rethink it. God’s got your back. He knows where he is taking you and what he wants with your life. He knows YOU! He also asks you and me to live our lives in a way that he shines through, as we wait for his perfect plan and for his cue on what to do next.
Why don’t you share with God right now your struggle and ask him to help you grow in patience as you wait for his direction.
~Real Word~
1 King 21:1-16 (The Message)
Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel that bordered the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. One day Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard so I can use it as a kitchen garden; it’s right next to my house–so convenient. In exchange I’ll give you a far better vineyard, or if you’d prefer I’ll pay you money for it.”
But Naboth told Ahab, “Not on your life! So help me GOD, I’d never sell the family farm to you!” Ahab went home in a black mood, sulking over Naboth the Jezreelite’s words, “I’ll never turn over my family inheritance to you.” He went to bed, stuffed his face in his pillow, and refused to eat.
Jezebel his wife came to him. She said, “What’s going on? Why are you so out of sorts and refusing to eat?”
He told her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite. I said, “Give me your vineyard–I’ll pay you for it or, if you’d rather, I’ll give you another vineyard in exchange.’ And he said, “I’ll never give you my vineyard.’”
Jezebel said, “Is this any way for a king of Israel to act? Aren’t you the boss? On your feet! Eat! Cheer up! I’ll take care of this; I’ll get the vineyard of this Naboth the Jezreelite for you.”
8She wrote letters over Ahab’s signature, stamped them with his official seal, and sent them to the elders in Naboth’s city and to the civic leaders. 9She wrote “Call for a fast day and put Naboth at the head table. Then seat a couple of stool pigeons across from him who, in front of everybody will say, “You! You blasphemed God and the king!’ Then they’ll throw him out and stone him to death.”
And they did it. The men of the city–the elders and civic leaders–followed Jezebel’s instructions that she wrote in the letters sent to them. They called for a fast day and seated Naboth at the head table. Then they brought in two stool pigeons and seated them opposite Naboth. In front of everybody the two degenerates accused him, “He blasphemed God and the king!” The company threw him out in the street, stoned him mercilessly, and he died.
When Jezebel got word that Naboth had been stoned to death, she told Ahab, “Go for it, Ahab–take the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite for your own, the vineyard he refused to sell you. Naboth is no more; Naboth is dead.”
The minute Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he set out for the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite and claimed it for his own.
~Real Reading~
Want to read the Bible on your own computer? You can even listen to it. Go to studylight and check out their free daily Bible plans. We do it, and love checking in with God’s word every single day!
