“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13 Today’s Christian daily devotional
“Oh no. I think I know that guy.” Grabbing a menu, I quickly cover my face. Using a ridiculous amount of energy, I pretend to be consumed with re-reading the daily special.
John patiently waits for my roving eyes. It only takes a second before I peek above my homemade fortress.
“I’m not sure if that’s him.” I eye the sharply dressed man in question suspiciously.
He is wearing oxfords and a pin stripe suit. Not the exactly kind of person who would normally elicit this kind of criminal attention. But, he definitely looked like the type of guy that could be a decent tipper.
“Who cares, Jules? You’re not at work tonight. You’re with me…remember?” John’s words saw through my heart like a butter knife.
Yes, John was right. I was happily with him; my heart only beat for him. But how I made my living entailed becoming the ultimate illusionist.
Four nights a week, I danced for strangers. In a dark little strip club, I became the girl men wouldn’t dare take home to their mother. I was whatever those men wanted me to be. (For a high fee, of course!) It was crucial that I keep that fantasy of freedom alive; my tips depended on it. So, four nights a week, I removed all the outer trappings of a woman taken. My wedding band collected lint while it sat safely in my jewelry case.
Sadly, on our fifth wedding anniversary my mind was distracted by a complete stranger.
As the candle glowed off of John’s angular face, my menu dropped lower. All a girl could ever want was right before my eyes.
“I’m sorry, hun. You deserve so much more than this.” My heart kicked against my stomach.
John turns the wine list in his hands while flashing a half-hearted smile. This wasn’t the first time my job at the strip club had affected my relationship—even on the nights I wasn’t working!
In Hebrews 4:13 we are encouraged to remember that God sees all that we do—even our actions in the dark.
I should have been more concerned about what God thought; even if my husband mildly approved of the way I helped pay our bills.
By putting God first and abstaining from activities that shamed His name and my marriage, I would have been investing in the things that really mattered. Things like respect for my spouse, trust and a teamwork mentality.
God sees everything. He is a just God. It goes against God’s character to reward those who are living in rebellion to His Word. Blessings come to those who work with God, not against Him.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I want to be blessed! I have been praying for a blessing for a long while. I even started to think you couldn’t hear my prayers.
Now, I see that you work much like an earthly parent. You will not reward rebellious behavior.
Lord, open my eyes. Show me where I am living in rebellion. Give me a heart that hates my sin so I can have the strength to turn from it.
I can’t hide from your eye. It is all seeing. Help me to remember this when I start to toe the line of rebellious behavior. Give me a sensitive conscience.
This will be the kind of blessing that will keep my eyes on you and off of the lust of my own desires.
I need you more than I have ever realized. Help me, Lord. In Jesus’ precious name, because I can’t do this without you, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verse: Hebrews 4:13
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan