“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jer. 17:9-10
Today’s Christian daily devotional
I notice that the man standing behind me in the grocery store has only three items. Looking at my seemingly endless heap of goodies, I motion him to go ahead of me. He kindly thanks me with a warm smile.
I can feel my back straighten as I proudly smile back. Feeling better about myself always makes me feel taller. After loading the groceries in my car, I feel another surge of “goodness” come over me. Instead of leaving the cart like I always do, I take a few seconds to return it to the cart station. I waltz back confident that I must have grown a foot. As I am floating on my own gloating, I feel a tug that pulls me back into reality.
I am instantly aware that I have not grown taller, but smaller. Why do I have to pat myself on the back just for being a normal, considerate human being? It is hard to bask in the pride of accomplishment when you know deep inside, that those very thoughts, feelings and emotions are the very thing that God despises.
God hates a heart that is prideful in seeking accolades. So, what would be the point of one doing good deeds for another, then? It should never be so others can admire how great we are—but for others to see the love of God poured out through us with a humble heart. This is how God can get the glory out of a truly selfless act.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
It is me again. I come to you so ashamed. Even in my effort to be “good and kind and thoughtful”, I have a selfish motive!
By now I would have hoped to “get it”. I need to serve in a selfless way. But, how can I accomplish this when this is my very nature? I am the most selfish person I know.
Help me! I love you, but not enough; if I did I would not be saying these words now. I am tired of my selfishness. I am sick of doing things with myself always at the forefront of all my motives. I am nothing without you. So, please fill me up with all of you, and keep the parts that you created to uniquely serve my purpose here. In Jesus’ precious name, only you can save me from myself, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s daily devotional.
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan