Daily Devotional November 20, 2020

Daily Devotional November 20, 2020

Rerun of Daily Devotional November 14, 2018

Sunday, after preaching what I knew was the greatest sermon ever, Ted walked up and asked if I would have an electrical plug installed in his pew for his CPAP.  Somehow I don’t think Ted was as impressed with my sermon as I was.  It became clear to me that Ted needed extra pastoral guidance.

Monday, as Ted and I were eating lunch, we talked about how the desperately needed rain had now become way too much.  Ted said, “I blame the Baptists because they prayed for rain but they didn’t say how much.”  I was in complete agreement that it was the Baptist’s fault.

Do you ever blame others?  I do it all the time.  In fact, I am the king of blame because nothing has ever been my fault. 

If I made a bad grade; clearly the teacher didn’t do a good job of instruction.  It was the teacher’s fault.

If I stayed out too late; clearly it was my parent’s fault for not doing a good enough job explaining exactly when I needed to be home.  It was my parent’s fault.

If I got into a fight with my brothers; clearly it was their fault for being my brothers – enough said.

When I shot the water main with a BB gun and it exploded, it was Royce’s fault – long story.

If you ever find yourself playing the blame game, just know you are not alone.  It happened at the very dawn of history with the first two people.  Adam blamed Eve.  Eve blamed the serpent.  And God did not buy any of their excuses.  God doesn’t buy our excuses either.

The only way to really come to grips with our sin is to confess it is ours.  We must own it.  If we truly want to follow Jesus Christ then we do not have the luxury of blaming others for our transgressions.  Each of us is a sinner in desperate need of God’s live-giving grace.

That’s why Solomon said, “No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”  (Proverbs 28:13)

So don’t sugarcoat the truth.  As distasteful as it will be, name your sins before God.  The good news is that when you do this and ask for forgiveness, God always does.  That because he loves you.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, it is hard for me to admit that I have intentionally chosen myself over you.  There are times when I am greedy, hardhearted, and intolerant.   Please forgive my sins and make me into the person you created me to be.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Don’t blame others for your sins.  That is not the way to healing and wholeness.

Just for the record, I still agree with Ted.   It’s okay to blame the Baptists for too much rain.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins