May the things of this world so lose their power over us that we do not in the slightest wish to be “worldly”; nay, we even delight in not remaining “in the world.”
Watchman Nee
I used to play video games a lot. It is addictive; I can assure you of that. I was spending hours sacrificing on time of my sleep. But when the developers made a colossal furor and introduced a new type of game called ‘open-world first-person online video game,’ it sucked me in entirely.
Life is Short
The X-Box, a very well-known video game console brand, has one controversial commercial. It begins with a scene in a delivery room where, guess what, a woman delivers a baby.
The delivery goes so well that a baby shoots out like a bullet from the cannon and right through the window. It flies over the cities, fields, and other various landscapes, and while it passes, it grows at the same time.
I know it sounds weird; that is why it was banned, by the way. So, already a man flies over his entire life and lands as an old man right into the grave, and ‘finita la commedia.‘
The End message is “Life is short – play more.”
Leisure for Pleasure
Actually, this commercial from X-Box reflects the philosophy of the majority. People live their lives just to satisfy always growing appetites – the need to seek something higher above degraded to an animal’s level. And no wonder why, because they have been brainwashed in the schools, taught that they are nothing more but a better version of a monkey.
Even many Christians live like God is an insurance agent and their salvation, given by God’s mercy and paid with the price of the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ – is just life insurance.
Although some believers go out to church every given Sunday and pretend to be good and faithful Christians, they still sucked in into the ‘open-worlds first-person video game’ called worldly life. Thus, in such a life, they live like demons.
Bible Reading
Today’s devotional reading is from the Book of Amos 4-6 and Revelation 7. Please, read the devotional on Amos 1-3 & Revelation 6.
The Fatum of Israel
At the beginning of chapter 4, verses 1 through 5, Amos explains to Israel how they deserved the Judgement. He compares them to a ‘kine’ (from old English for ‘cows’) of Bashan. The city of Bashan was proverbial for its rich pastures, and consequently, for fat cows, which lived their lives in all fulness.
Then, in the same chapter 4, verses 6 through 13, Amos details how God had appealed to the Israelites to return to Him, yet without response.
God’s Supplication to Israel
Further, in chapter 5, verses 1 through 17, Amos delivers God’s pleading for His people to return to Him. Even though they face imminent destruction, it is still not too late to repent and seek God and His goodness.
Woes of Judgement
Lastly, from chapter 5, verse 18 through chapter 6 verse 14, Amos, through the woes’ messages, details the sins that will provoke God to destroy the nation and declare their funeral.
144,000 of The Sons of Israel
In the Book of Revelation chapter 7, John tells us his vision in which the angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God, prepared to seal the servants of God in their foreheads.
This seal will assure their eternal life and will probably prevent them from any physical harm during the days of dreadful Judgement yet to come. They sealed to serve as God’s special witnesses during the years of the tribulation.
Reflection
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
- How is your Christian life look like? Is it real or virtual?
- Do you live your life for God or your pleasure?
- Why do you think God sent His entreaty to Israelites?
- Why do you think God sealed His people?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we adore and glorify Your mighty name above all other names. You are our Creator and ultimate Judge.
Lord, we thank You for the revelation of Your word, even through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You, Lord, for the constant appeal to us to repent and seek You. And we thank You, Lord Jesus, for dying on the cross on our behalf.
God, we pray that more people will hear Your voice and will repent. We pray that the Holy Spirit will equip us to be Your witnesses and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Please, Father, use us for Your glory and to further Your kingdom.
In Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
