Responding to God’s love for you

“Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.” — Jonah 2:8

God’s redemptive work in the lives of His faithful people will naturally provoke worship. Author and pastor Leslie B. Flynn once told a story that illustrates this truth.

An orphaned boy was living with his grandmother when their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to get upstairs to rescue the boy, perished in the flames. The boy’s cries for help were finally answered by a man who climbed an iron drainpipe and came back down with the boy hanging tightly to his neck.

Several weeks later, a public hearing was held to determine who would receive custody of the child. A farmer, a teacher, and the town’s wealthiest citizen all gave the reasons they felt they should be chosen to give the boy a home. But as they talked, the lad’s eyes remained focused on the floor.

Then a stranger walked to the front and slowly took his hands from his pockets, revealing severe scars on them. As the crowd gasped, the boy cried out in recognition. This was the man who had saved his life. His hands had been burned when he climbed the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw his arms around the man’s neck and held on for dear life. The other men silently walked away, leaving the boy and his rescuer alone. Those marred hands had settled the issue.

Right now, many voices are calling for our attention. Among them is the One whose nail-pierced hands remind us that He has rescued us from sin and its deadly consequences. And because of the redemption He’s purchased for us with His blood, we owe our devotion to Him!

Prayer Challenge

Pray and thank God for the redemption you have because of Jesus Christ. Commit yourself to worshipping Him above everything else.

Questions for thought

What are some things in your life today that compete with God for your attention?