Category: Devotional Thoughts

Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth!
This is what the Lord says:
“The children I raised and cared for
have rebelled against me.
Even an ox knows its owner,
and a donkey recognizes its master’s care—
but Israel doesn’t know its master.
My people don’t recognize my care for them.”
-Isaiah 1:2-3

I have mentioned before that I used to take care of some unusual pets. Newts were one of my favorite pets in high school and college. I’m not really sure why—maybe I was fascinated by something that lives both in and out of water.

I noticed something interesting about these little animals. They are probably not very smart, but even they learned to associate people with food. If one noticed me near the aquarium, it would try to swim to me (kind of the same way fish do). It seems that almost all pets learn who takes care of them. Unfortunately, sometimes our pets are smarter than we are.

God used this type of analogy to confront His people in the Book of Isaiah. He was accusing them of having less loyalty (and sense) than an ox or a mule. God had done so much for His people, yet they were unfaithful to Him. They had betrayed and forgotten Him. They were pursuing their own pleasures and agendas.

Have you also forgotten God? You are a very blessed person if you are able to read this devotional right now. Reading online means that you have your own computer, you have the money to rent one, or you are blessed with a job with computers in the office. It also means that you can read a Christian devotional without fear of persecution. Many people around the world do not have the financial and spiritual blessings that you are enjoying right now. God has been good to you–are you thankful and faithful to Him?

God has blessed you. Be faithful to Him and make your life a blessing to Him.

Another season of American Idol is here. Yes, this show is very popular here in the Philippines (just explaining for my American readers). I tend to lose interest once the finalist are competing, but I love watching the first auditions. Some of the “talent” and judges’ comments just makes me laugh out loud.

I really can’t believe the naivety of some of the contestants. Some of them confidently assert that they are American Idol material, yet their audition sounds like the drunken karaokey I hear while wondering through Manila. “This poor guy really needs to pursue another life dream,” I think to myself. The judges’ comments may seem harsh, but maybe it keeps some from wasting their lives on unrealistic goals.

If you have watched the show, you know that the most straightforward, humorous, and rude criticisms usually come from Simon. Love him or hate him, you probably can’t wait to hear his critiques. Simon, of course, may be a little too straightforward. At the same time, you know his compliments are 100% sincere. When he tells someone they have talent, you know it is not just flattery.

A few months back I wrote an devotional entitled We All Need a Nathan. This devotional was based on the many roles Nathan had in David’s life. Sometimes I wonder if we could all use a “Simon” in our lives from time to time.

Here’s what I mean. As I pointed out in the before-mentioned article, “A true friend will love us enough to tell us the truth, even at the risk of hurting our feelings.” Proverbs says it this way:

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
but an enemy multiplies kisses.
-Proverbs 27:6

Whether we want to admit it or not, we can be just as foolish as some of those Idol contestants. As I mentioned in the devotional about Nathan, we can have “blind spots” in our lives–sometimes everyone can see them except us!

Hopefully you have at least one friend in your life who is 100% honest with you. This type of friend will be just as straightforward as Simon, but speak from a loving heart. If you don’t have someone like this in your life, ask God to send him/her to you. You will hear things that may make you uncomfortable, but you will be a better man or woman in the long run.