Today’s devotion comes from 1 John 2:15-17.
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:15-17.
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Many feel that they need to own things to be happy. But, they discover that they can just rent those things and be just about as happy.
Many feel that they need to rent things over a long time to be happy. But, they discover that they can just use those things occasionally and be just about as happy.
Many feel that they need to tightly hold on to things to be happy. But, they discover that it is OK if those things pass along, there are other things that will come their way to make them just about as happy.
Today’s Scripture, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world.”, does not mean that we can not enjoy things. Rather, it means that we should not cling to these things. We can enjoy them, but we should not be obsessed with them. “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17
Rather than cling to the things in the world, we should cling to God.
“You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name.”
“You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.”
“My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”
“I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame!”
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.”
“So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord your God. For if you ever go back and cling to the rest of these nations, these which remain among you, and intermarry with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know with certainty that the Lord your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you; but they will be a snare and a trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the Lord your God has given you.” Joshua 23:11-13.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 