Daily devotional, November 2, 2023 Zero Balance
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3
As a first-time employee, salary pay-outs are as exciting as it could get. Out of excitement, some new graduates looking forward to their first payday might even check their ATM or bank balances first thing in the morning, only to find out that their bank balance is still at zero. Later on in the day though, once the deposit comes, their happiness and enthusiasm skyrockets further as they try to hold on to their first fruits of labor.
Christian life promises to never leave your spiritual life in zero balance. As long as you abide in God, your spiritual bank account is filled to the brim by the one employer who will never leave us unsatisfied, who will never leave us empty. Peace of mind is the spiritual currency Christians have as it provides good disposition, calmness, and improved countenance. In John 14:27 Jesus Christ assures us that as long as we abide in Him, our spirits will be in peace: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The problem though is that some of us are spiritually bankrupt. There are people walking around in this world with enough money on their wallets, but nothing on their hearts. This spiritual bankruptcy translates to the emptiness that seems so difficult to fill, and humanly impossible to address.
King David wrote Psalm 51 when he came to his senses following his adulterous relationship that led to him to murder one of his most loyal soldiers. In this Psalm, he admitted before the Lord that he has sinned and is down and out already, and that only the Lord could help him:
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of your salvationand grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." (Psalm 51:10-12)
Sin leads to spiritual bankruptcy. It is like a hole in the pocket that drains peace, joy, and happiness in our lives. Spiritual bankruptcy manifests as discontent, lack of joy to live, and most of all the inability to realize the Lord’s faithfulness in one’s life.
The only way to get past spiritual poverty is by repenting on one’s sins before the Lord, seeking his forgiveness, and living a life in accordance to God’s will. Romans 10:9 says: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”Establish a personal relationship with the Lord so that moving forward you could be sure to have enough spiritual riches in you that will allow you to have peace and share that peace and light with others.
So how do you establish a personal relationship with the Lord? Prioritize quiet time with him by praying and regularly confessing your sins. Read the bible daily, study His word with others, and worship weekly with fellow believers. Witness to others about His mercy and goodness. Pretty soon, even if your circumstances has yet to change, your mindset will and you get to appreciate even the smallest blessings given to you.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 51 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: How’s your spiritual health right now? Are you spiritually rich or spiritually bankrupt?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for filling us with your holy spirit to guide me in my life journey. May the spirit of truth never depart from us, because only you can provide priceless peace and joy in my life. Amen.