November 26

Daniel 2:24-3:30; 1 Peter 4:7-5:14; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 28:15-16

There is an old hymn that proclaims, "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it." This describes the fickle nature of our human condition. One second, we are deeply committed to God and the next we are distancing ourselves from him.

This fickleness is exemplified in Nebuchadnezzar. After Daniel interprets his dream in chapter 2, he praises God. He acknowledged God as the "God of gods and the Lord of kings." Yet in chapter 3 he constructed a massive "image of gold" and commanded the whole nation to bow down and worship it. He moved from some level of worship of God to worship of idols in a very short time.

Our fickleness isn’t going to express itself in this exact way, but we are 'prone to wander.' We can worship God on a Sunday morning and then a few moments later find ourselves angry at someone who cut us off or meander back to routine patterns of sin. Peter challenges us to choose self-control over selfishness, love over hate, hospitality over grumbling, and joy in suffering. We are to deeply root our lives in Christ and follow him wherever he leads.

God's desire is for us to recognize his surpassing greatness over everything else and remain committed to Him. If we see him for who he is, then we will recognize that there is nowhere else we can go to experience life, peace, or true joy.

Father God, I acknowledge your surpassing greatness. Help me to remain committed to you over everything else. I confess that I am prone to wander but help me through the power of your Spirit to remain in you and your will. Amen.

Question: What habits can you create in your life to become less of a wanderer?

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