“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” Proverbs 21:27

Today’s Christian daily devotional

“So, when are you going to join us for Sunday service, Anthony?” Christine held one baby on her hip, while her two year old crawled on the kitchen floor, scavenging for anything to put in her mouth.

“I’ve paid my dues to God.  We’re good.” Anthony barely looks up from the television.

“Paid your dues? What exactly does that mean?” A million thoughts run through Christine’s head.

Anthony wasn’t a saint–to say the least.  Not only had he broken her heart a million times by unabashedly admitting to numerous affairs; he was far more occupied with making money than he was spending time with the family. Anthony stares blankly back at Christine, as if she should know the answer to her own question.

“I cut you a check for that ten percent tithe every month.” Sighing heavily, he refocuses his attention back to the television screen.

Anthony’s nonchalance was the hardest thing for Christine to deal with.  It didn’t surprise her that he thought he could ‘pay off’ God.  Anthony seemed to do that with every other relationship in his life.

Christine and the kids didn’t lack a thing when it came to material pleasures.  For a mother of two, her little clan was always manicured and dressed as if they had just stepped off the latest pages of In Style magazine.  But, after a while, that platinum credit card started to loose it’s luster. It never seemed to be able to fill that endless void in her heart.

One day a friend invited Christine to her local church service. As she walked down the isle of the modest congregation, Christine felt something she had never experienced before.  Peace. At first, this foreign feeling made her uncomfortable.  The people around her seemed so relaxed.  It looked as if they were smiling because they were genuinely happy, not like they were looking to impress.

When the preacher spoke about the love of God being the only thing that could fill the void of an empty and aching heart, Christine felt he was speaking right to her. As soon as the pastor gave the invitation, she practically ran down the isle to receive Jesus into her heart.

There were no fireworks or great epiphanies when she said that salvation prayer.  But, there was an unmistakable presence of peace that washed over her heart. It felt like she was being bathed in unconditional love and all of her heaviness left. This was something Christine had never experienced in all of her thirty-two years of living.

Little Alyssa pulls on Christine’s pant leg, wanting to be held. Christine scoops her up and balances both precious cargos with the ease of an athlete.

Looking back at Anthony, she expects to find herself in her typical low-boiling resentment. But instead she sees something completely different. At that moment, she saw Anthony as a hurting boy that was grappling to fill that same ‘God void’ in his own way. He was simply following the lead of his greatest idol: His father. A successful stockbroker that had left millions to Anthony after dying of a heart attack.

In Proverbs 21:27, the Bible clearly warns that God is no fool.  Unlike man, He is unimpressed with riches, talent or prestige.  The only thing that matters to God is the condition of your heart.

Are you giving God your whole heart, or are you thinking that you can get by with throwing him a few crumbs of consolation? If so, just know that God isn’t fooled, He’s hurt.

“Dear Heavenly Father,

In a way, I am relieved that you are not like man is.  But, this also is a sober reminder that you cannot be fooled like man, either.

It’s hard to fathom the thought that you see my every action.  You not only see the deed, but the heart that is behind it.  Lord, I cannot hide my wicked heart from you…yet you still love me!?! 

That very thought brings me to my knees in repentance. What kind of pain I must put you through on a daily basis.

Lord, forgive me for cheapening my love by trying to get “away” with giving you my minimal efforts in time, attention, love and talents. I know that there’s so much more I could be doing.

I want to do more for you out of a genuine heart, not out of obligation.  I’m so humbled that I have to ask for your help with this. But, I know you want to help me and I am confident you will.

In Jesus’ precious name, thank you that your mercy is greater than your judgment.  Amen.”

Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Proverbs 21:27

Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!

Author: Julia Shalom Jordan