IT’S BLACK AND WHITE, NOT GRAY!
- Key Verse
- "And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times." (Psalm 12:6)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Even with all the distractions in this world, we can still take refuge in God's truths, which are eternal and revealed to us in His Word.
Reflections
When I was a senior at Texas A&M, I went on a mission trip to Central Mexico. One thing I noticed when I first arrived was the lack of distractions. These people lived very simple lives without technology and all the amenities I was accustomed to. You could still hear the noisy buses and occasional rooster crows, but sometimes it got so quiet that it made my ears hurt (kinda weird, I know). But as I thought through this, I realized that without all the distractions (e.g., music on the cassette Walkman—not iPod, watching "Friends" on TV, phone ringing, etc.), I could really see things as they were. I started to notice the spiritual warfare that goes on in this world. When it comes to good and evil, there is a distinct black and white.
You and I live in "gray" here in the U.S. because of all of the distractions, and I think that's the way Satan likes it. We don't see the black and white of good and evil because of all the "noise." In this passage, David is appealing to God and is confident in His truths. However, David is feeling that "the godly are no more . . ." (v. 1), and "[e]veryone lies to his neighbor . . . speak[ing] with deception" (v. 2).
We are privileged to live in a land of affluence with so much technology and information in our culture, but it is easy to relate to David's pleading. In our business and political arenas, it's tough to know who to believe. We get confused by the circular reasoning of atheists. The Discovery Channel shows us its theories (void of a Creator). Others are saying that all religions should just "coexist."
The Lord will hear our cries, and His Word is truth! Romans 1:20 says that God's invisible qualities have been seen since the beginning of creation, so "men are without excuse." His power will prevail, and we can depend on Him, even when we feel, as David did in verse 1, that "the faithful have vanished from among men."
Discussion Questions
1. Think about a time when you had the opportunity to stand up for your values and beliefs. Would God have been proud of you? Why or why not?
2. What are the distractions in your life that need to be removed so that you won't see the outside world as "gray," but the way it truly is?
John Rondeau
January 18, 2010 06:48 AM
Todd, great devo. We do live in a time of information overload. Between that and busy lives, it is easy for the truth to get lost. I have to deliberately slow myself down each day (sometimes more successfully than others)and spend time listening to God speak from His word. Without that my perspective is all messed up.
Hillary Skaff
January 18, 2010 09:46 AM
wonderful devotional, Todd! nice read on MLK Day, too-- I bet MLK would completely agree :-)
January 18, 2010 11:04 AM
Well put. Our technology and materialistic values have put a stain on a lot of peoples relationship with God. We have got to have more courage and strength these days to get our head straight.
Scurry
January 18, 2010 03:44 PM
I couldn't agree more! With all the confusion, liberal ideology, and corruption, at some point, a person can lose focus, get confused while stepping off into the gray! God's never confused. You can find his words in black and white...it's not gray! Thanks for your devo.
Chip Smith
January 18, 2010 04:18 PM
Good afternoon Todd: I am so plugged in and love it! Technology allows me to be way more efficient in our business and in my personal life (I'm ADD). However, living in a media saturated "gray" existence, I can easily loose touch with the struggle to live a good life and the spiritual battle around me. What keeps me grounded is good technology like Join the Journey and the HCBC NW website. This, along with being involved in the Saturday JourneyMen, Sunday Services, a weekly Real Life Group, and weekly accountability. Sometimes, however, when people see me on my computer or cell phone at church functions, they think I am checking out sports and not the word of God :-) Thanks, Todd, for a great Journey Log today.