Bible Reading: John 3:16-21
"Those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants". - (John 3:21, NLT).
When do you suppose most violent crimes are committed: during daylight hours or at night?
When do you think burglars (people who break into houses and businesses and steal things) do their work: during daylight hours or at night?
When do you imagine most vandalism (breaking windows, damaging property, etc.) happens: during daylight hours or at night?
When do you think most arsonists (people who set fire to things on purpose) do their work: during daylight hours or at night?
If you answered "at night" to all those questions, you're correct. But why is that? Why do so many murders or muggings take place at night? Why do people wait until after dark to break windows or set fires?
Because it's dark,of course! People who don't want to be caught doing something wrong will wait until it's dark, so the darkness will disguise their deeds. That's what Jesus meant when he said that people "loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished". - (John 3:19b-20, NLT).
Understanding the truth of Jesus' words can help you make right choices. If you're doing something that you don't want your parents to know about--guess what?--it's probably wrong (unless you're planning a surprise anniversary party for them!). If you have to hide what you're doing, then stop--that's a bad sign, because people "want to sin in the darkness. . . . But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants". - (John 3:20b-21, NLT).
So remember--if you have to hide what you're doing, you probably shouldn't do it. Instead, do everything as if God were looking over your shoulder; because he is!
Reflect: Have you ever done something you didn't want people to see or know about? If so, what? What should have helped you realize that you might have been doing wrong? If you're doing what God wants, would you probably try to hide it or not try to hide it?
Prayer:"Our God of light, help me to be among those who do what is right and not like people who try to hide their deeds under the shelter of darkness. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesus Loving Name I Pray, Amen."
Bible Reading: Psalm 37:20-31
For the Lord is righteous, and he loves justice. Those who do what is right will see his face. -Psalm 11:7.
You've Probably Heard old sayings like "He who laughs last laughs best" and "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," right? These are examples of sayings that have become famous over the years. Those two were coined by Ben Franklin in his famous Poor Richard's Almanac.
A lot of those sayings are out of date, however. For example, take the saying "A penny saved is a penny earned." These days, a penny saved is (after taxes and inflation) about half a penny. Here are some others modernized sayings:
• He who laughs last... was slow to get the joke.
• It takes a big man to admit his mistakes ... and it takes an even bigger man to force the first man to admit them!
• People who live in glass houses . . . better keep their curtains shut!
• Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning; red sky at night... sailors better ask, "Isn't it supposed to be dark at night?"
• When it rains, it pours... and when it doesn't rain, we complain about that too.
• Laugh, and the world laughs with you; cry ... and the world laughs at you, too, ya big sissy!
Well, that's enough of that. No, wait, just one more: "The Lord helps those who ... treat others fairly." OK, so that last one isn't funny like the other ones. But it is true.
According to the Bible, "the Lord is righteous, and he loves justice. Those who do what is right will see his face" (Psalm 11:7). That means that when you treat others fairly, you please God. Not only that, when you're fair, you also make it possible for God to bless you in ways that he can't bless you if you're nor fair.
As with all God's commands, obeying God's command to be fair (Leviticus 19:13-16; Micah 6:8) results in the loving protection and provision of God. For example, when we are fair, others tend to treat us fairly. When we are fair, we develop a good reputation among others. When we are fair, we prompt other people to trust us more. When we are fair, we make friends easier. And when we are fair, we are less likely to lose friends. Those are all blessings from God that come from treating other people fairly.
REFLECT: Do you think you can please God without being fair? Why or why not? Do you think people who treat others fairly are happier than those who treat people unfairly? Why or why not? Has something good ever happened to you because you were fair with someone else?
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Prayer:"Our Loving God in Heaven, show me the many ways you bless people who treat others fairly, and let me be one of those people." Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesus Loving Name I Pray, Amen."
