Exodus 8:1-32; Matthew 19:13-25; Psalms 24:7-10; Proverbs 10:18
NT: “Just then someone came up and asked him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” he said to him. “There is only one who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he asked him. Jesus answered: “Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.” “I have kept all these,” the young man told him. “What do I still lack?” “If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard that, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.” (Matthew 19:16-22 CSB)
The 10 commandments were made up of two categories: commandments that had to do with honoring the Lord, and commandments that had to do with honoring people. The commandments that Jesus asked the rich young man about were the ones centered around honoring people. When the young man affirmed that he had followed those commandments, Jesus gave him a challenge to see how deeply he honored the Lord: sell everything you own, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Me. The young man’s reaction indicated his level of honor for God. His unwillingness to part with his earthly possessions revealed that he honored his stuff more than God, and he was only willing to honor the Lord on his terms. It can be challenging to have an eternal kingdom-minded perspective on things, for humanly speaking, all we know are the limitations of time and the space we inhabit here on earth. To give up what is tangible for spiritual rewards requires great faith and trust – but it is that kind of faith and trust that pleases God… and when we please Him with our faith-filled and loving obedience, He gives us earthly blessings along with the heavenly ones… as long as we keep our eyes on the Kingdom.
Psalms: “Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord of Armies, he is the King of glory. Selah” (Psalms 24:7-10 CSB)
I love this portion of Psalm 24. What a great assurance! Don’t keep your eyes focused downward on earthly things. Lift up your head and look up… be kingdom-minded instead of earthly-minded… and the King of Glory will come into your life. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord Sabaoth… the Lord of all the hosts of heaven, Who has all the power, authority, and might of heaven at His hand. That is Who will come into your life when you lift your head and look up instead of being entangled in earthly things. And if He is the one that enters your life, what is there to be anxious over? What is there to fear?
Jamie Hicks 