Daily Wisdom

Sadly Away – Mark 10:21-22

Key Passage

Jesus looked at the man. Jesus felt love for him. Jesus said, “There is still one more thing you need to do. Go and sell everything you have. Give the money to the poor people. You will have a reward in heaven. Then come and follow me.” The man was very sorry to hear Jesus say this, and he left. The man was sad because he was very rich {and wanted to keep his money}.

— Mark 10:21-22 ERV (Read Full Text)

Key Thought

The Bible has heart-wrenching stories of men and women who came to know the will of the Lord and yet were not willing to respond because something was holding them back. I’m sure you know someone—that someone may even be you—who has something holding him or her back from totally surrendering to the will and grace of God. Please pray for them today. While we cannot ensure these people will ever respond to God’s offer of grace, at least we can pray that they will be lovingly confronted with the decision to accept or reject the will of the Lord.

Prayer

O LORD God Almighty, I confess that there are times when I want you to more forcefully reveal yourself to friends of mine who will not surrender to your grace. I know that you will not overpower their wills. I know that you want our hearts and not a forced, coerced, or manipulated and shallow response to your offer of salvation in Jesus. So please use me and my influence to be a helpful, tender, and clear example to my friends who have not decided to follow your Son. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Related Scriptures

So brothers and sisters, I beg you to do something. God has shown us great mercy. So offer your lives as a living sacrifice to God. Your offering must be only for God and will be pleasing to him. This offering of yourselves is the spiritual way for you to worship (serve) God. Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world. But let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what things are good and pleasing to God and what things are perfect.
Romans 12:1-2

While Paul was saying these things to defend himself, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are crazy! Too much study has made you crazy!” Paul said, “Most Excellent Festus, I am not crazy. The things I say are true. My words are not the words of a foolish man; I am in my right mind. King Agrippa knows about these things. I can speak freely to him. I know that he has heard about all of these things. Why? Because these things happened where all people could see. King Agrippa, do you believe the things the prophets wrote? I know you believe!” King Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so easily?” Paul said, “It is not important if it is easy or if it is hard; I pray to God that not only you but every person listening to me today could {be saved and} be like me—except for these chains I have!”
Acts 26:24-29

John was like a lamp that burned and gave light. And you were happy to enjoy his light for a while. “But I have a proof about myself that is greater than John. The things I do are my proof. These are the things my Father gave me to do. These things show that the Father sent me. And the Father that sent me has given proof about me himself. But you have never heard his voice. You have never seen what he looks like. The Father’s teaching does not live in you. Why? Because you don’t believe in the One the Father sent. You carefully study the Scriptures. You think that those Scriptures give you life forever. Those same Scriptures tell about me! But you refuse to come to me to have that life {you want}.
John 5:35-40

Devotional provided by Heartlight®
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