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[expand title=”Devotion Text”]Matthew 13:45-46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
All his life he searched for something to fill the hole in his heart. Everything fell short. As you’d expect, pleasure was . . . pleasurable. But it’s funny (sad, really) that so much “fun” the night before can feel so empty the day after. The next purchase was always something to look forward to. But every time he sat behind the wheel or held what he had to have in his hands, a voice inside said, “This isn’t it. There’s still something bigger, better, faster than you need.” The adrenaline rush of success was addictive. But even the socially accepted addictions lauded by our culture have haunting dark sides. Do you know this person?
The person in today’s passage was looking for fine pearls . . . those things that would satisfy. He followed every lead to find that “one” he was looking for. No doubt, some of his efforts led to dead ends. But one day he found it . . . a costly pearl . . . one of great value. It meant more to him than anything else. In fact, “he went away and sold everything he had” just to buy it. Jesus said that’s what having a relationship with Him is like. It is of great value . . . eternal value! It requires giving up everything else and bowing before Jesus alone as Savior and Lord.
How about you? Are you wearing yourself out with the futile search to fill the emptiness inside? Are you learning the hard way that the things this life offers can’t meet your greatest need? Jesus offers you a personal relationship with Him. Are you ready to turn from the stuff you’ve been chasing and accept His free gift of eternal life?
Father, I pray for the people exhausted by their efforts to find something . . . anything . . . to fill the emptiness they are feeling. Send a friend to tell them that what they are looking for is You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
[/expand]Read through the Bible this year:
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