Today’s scripture: Luke 19:41-44 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Mark Shoup):
There aren’t too many things you can be absolutely sure of in life, but unfortunately, one thing it seems you can be certain of is society’s tendency to self destruct. From the Garden of Eden on, it seems like whenever humankind is faced with a choice, it invariably chooses the one that is not in its best interest.
I remember once, while taking a physics course in college, we were pondering a mathematical formula for deciding the probability of discovering other life in outer space. One variable of the equation was the expected span of time humans were expected to remain in existence. We were told to use 200 years! Yes, even modern science isn’t too optimistic about our odds of long term survival as a species! (And this was about 15 years ago, so the clock is ticking!)
The same self-destructive type of behavior is implied in today’s scripture. There, we see Jesus literally weeping for the city of Jerusalem, for choosing a much harder path by not embracing God’s plan through Jesus. They had unknowingly chosen violence and their destruction over peace.
I wish I could say that was the end of it, but we each (individually and collectively) make similar bad choices in our lives, when we choose a way that is not the path God has laid out for us. It may even at the time seem like a good choice, but remember that God is all knowing and sees the long term ramifications of our actions, where we can only see what is immediately before us. How many of us have unwittingly chosen destruction instead of peace when we haven’t even tried to determine what Gods path is for us?
Thought for the day: God, help me to learn to discern your path for me, so I can avoid unforeseen destruction and experience the peace You want me to have.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.