And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12

In my wanderings I’ve come across a great many retired pastors. Now I’m using the word “retired” in the loosest way possible. Most of these pastors are still working. They are serving vacancy congregations, calling on the hospitalized and shut-ins, and they are preaching almost every Sunday.

Almost to a man, each of them says, “I’m busier now than I have ever been.” Then, with a twinkle in their eyes, they add, “Only I don’t have to be the Pastor-on-call at Voter’s Assemblies.”

The activity of these pastors is quite a contrast from the four people in New York who are competing to be the world’s couch potato king.

And what do you have to do to earn such a dubious title? Nothing. You have to do absolutely nothing. On New Year’s Day four people sat down in front of a dozen large-screen televisions to watch continuous TV for as long as they could.

The old record was 69 hours and 48 minutes. These folks are trying to break that record. If they do, they’ll receive $5,000, a high-definition TV, and a reclining chair.

When I read of that story, which is being carried on television, I thought, “Thank the Lord He didn’t have the same kind of attitude when it came to us!” Truly, when our first ancestors fell into sin, the Lord could have assumed the role of Divine Couch Potato, contenting Himself to watch humanity begin and continue a hopeless procession into the fires of hell.

He could have, but He didn’t.

The Lord, in His grace, got involved. So we might be saved from our sin, so we might be rescued from damnation, Jesus took our place under the law, resisted Satan’s every temptation, died the death we deserved and, in His wonderful resurrection conquered the grave.

For His involvement, the Savior received no cash, no easy chair, no TV. He has never asked for or wanted such things. What He does want is people who, by the Holy Spirit’s power, acknowledge Him as Savior and actively hold fast to the full assurance of hope that comes through Him alone.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I thank you for getting involved when You didn’t have to. I rejoice in the Savior who made a commitment to saving me. Now, let me also get involved in sharing the wonderful story of Your great love. In Your Name I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Job 17-19    Matthew 10:21-42

To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"