Chatting with Jesus
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 a
Lord, they sprang up among us shortly after you booted Adam and Eve from the Garden. It’s safe to say this deeply flawed character trait originated from the serpent. Who else would do such a thing?
One of the psalmist’s “New Year’s” resolution dealt with the corruption within his kingdom. These were the dishonest “officials” who preyed on the ignorant, and the naïve. They were shysters, con men, serial liars. In biblical times, they were the herdsmen selling blemish lambs for Temple sacrifices, or religious leaders on the take for “spiritual favors.” Matthew, tax collector turned Christ follower, told how he became wealthy working for the Romans, exploiting people. Of course, there were used chariot salesmen.
Today, these bait-and-switch artists advertise on late-night cable TV promising one thing and delivering another. We see super-models promoting weight loss programs, which instead only produce chubby super models, or celebrities pitching worthless auto warranties few mechanics will honor. And endlessly, the politicians lining their pockets promising to save Social Security that his opponent threatens to take away.
Back to the psalmist. His anger simmered, seeing how these smooth-talking crooks took advantage of people. Finally, he had enough. He began purging corrupt people from his kingdom and his life.
“I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them” (Psalm 101:3b).
Lord, perhaps I should do the same as the psalmist. Help me purge anything in my life that my eternal enemy, Satan, has planted. Grant me godly wisdom to choose my close friends and associates wisely, that they be of noble character and whose hearts are turned toward you. May I always be civil toward all but also be “wise as serpents and gentle as a dove” (Matthew 10:16).
Amen, Jesus.
THANKFUL 