Devotionals
Standing in the Wrong Line
Yesterday something interesting happened. At work we have this very large sign that reads “Place Order Here.” Beneath these words is a very large arrow pointing down. We were waiting on several customers when I noticed a line had formed. The thing is, the line was in the strangest place. I wasn’t sure if the line was for my area or another area, but finally asked the man if he wanted to place an order. He looked at me like I was asking a stupid question, of course he wanted to place an order, couldn’t I see he was in line? Although he was in line, it would have been very easy for other customers to move ahead of him, due to the line he had created actually led nowhere.
Eventually he moved over beneath the sign, and the line that had formed behind him, moved automatically, as if they never realized they were standing behind a man who was standing in the wrong place, they simply followed the leader without question.
I wonder how many times we’ve been guilty of falling in line behind someone without paying attention to what we are doing? How often have we been guilty of taking someone’s word for something without praying it through or studying it out for ourselves?
Throughout the Bible we read examples of people who followed leaders who did not have their best interest at heart. Today, we see the same scenario played over and over again; people fall in line behind a leader, without ever looking up to see if they’re in the right line or if their line is going anywhere.
It is our individual responsibility to make sure we are in the right line! Imagine standing before God on the Day of Judgment and telling Him, ‘God, I was just following that guy,’ how do you think that would play out? The bottom line, we must study and pray. You may attend the best church and listen to a fabulous preacher, but it is not enough to listen to the sermon, we must pray and seek God for ourselves!
This is not to say your pastor is wrong or misled, but each one of us must study the Word of God for ourselves! We must seek God and pray! We must take the sermon and study it out through the Word of God! It is our responsibility as Christ followers to KNOW THE WORD! It is our responsibility as Christ followers to PRAY AND SEEK HIS FACE! Yet, so many of us simply take someone else’s word without ever seeking God for our own life!
While there are good, honest, God-fearing leaders, there are those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing! There are false shepherds (Isaiah 56:10-12; Jeremiah 23:2; 50:6; Ezekiel 34:2-3; John 10:12). The scripture clearly warns us to not be deceived (Mt. 24:4; I Co. 6:9; 15:33; Ga. 6:7; Eph. 5:6; 2 Th. 2:3; I John 3:7).
Don’t take my word for it; get your Sword and study out the scripture and see where it leads! Don’t be guilty of standing in the wrong line – the line that goes nowhere!
Dear God, thank You for Your WORD! Thank You that is available to all who are willing to pick up the Sword! Lord, stir up a desire within us for Your Word! Let it be like a fire shut up in our bones! Lord, help us to not be satisfied with just taking someone else’s word, but to act upon our individual responsibility to know YOU! Create within us a hunger to devour Your WORD! We don’t want to be found standing in a line that goes nowhere! In Your Precious and Holy Name, AMEN!
Further reading: Job 28:12,20; Psalms 119; Proverbs 2:4; Ecclesiastes 1:13; 2:12; 7:25; 8:16
Today’s challenge: Can you find more scripture that relate to this topic?
© Jounda LaMance January 7, 2007
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Amen! Studing the word improves vision. Through it we can see His for our lives.
In Christ, Randy
You have a way of seeing messages in our everyday life. God has blessed your eyes, and ability to recognize these valuable lessons. Very excellent my dear adopted daughter!!! :)
Love, Lady in the Redwoods
Thomas