Recently in my devotions I came across these verses: “Then Samuel said to the people, Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness: yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside, for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver; for they are nothing” (1 Samuel 12:20-21, NKJV).
 
There are times when we need to be reminded that there is no true lasting satisfaction in life outside of Jesus. Once we have tasted and experienced His reality, something changes forever within us. He gives us a taste of heavenly things to come and there is nothing on earth to compare to that. Even when we feel we have failed the Lord in a big way, the answer is not to forsake Him, but to get it right quickly, so our fellowship and friendship with Him is restored. It is very sad to see many who once loved the Lord – even ministers of the Gospel – who today are occupying their time and attention with things that have no value in eternity. Regardless of what may have happened in our lives, Christian, it was not Jesus’ fault! He did not cause the events that have so disappointed, discouraged and made you make the decision to “pull back” from fully serving Him. Please don’t “punish” Jesus and rob Him of your love, fellowship and friendship. And please do not punish yourself by not returning to Him. He longs for you! He longs to fill the aching heart with such love, joy, peace and assurance that the “empty things” of the world will not be any competition to that which Jesus has for you.
 
When we leave Jesus out of our life, then what have we got? Who, or what, is there that can satisfy like Jesus? The Bible tells us when we turn away from the Lord we turn to empty things, useless things. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus taught us that the seed among the thorns “is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). Those things contribute nothing to the purpose of why we are alive on the earth today. They become a distraction, and cause our hearts to become “cold” before God. We get taken up with useless, empty things. Many years ago there was a saying, “If Jesus Christ is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.” That is so true. Is it true of your life? Or have some “empty” attractions come along to take up all your spare time and rob you of a close, personal relationship with Jesus?
 
Tragically, there are many stepping out into eternity with great knowledge and involvement in good things like sports, politics, careers, good works, etc., (who even went to church), but who never made JESUS the Priority of their life. It is all “wasted” when we look at life through the eyes of the Bible – and eternity! Be fully satisfied with JESUS! – Rodney W. Francis.

Bible  Readings:  Jeremiah 2:1-13; Matthew 13:1-23. 

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