Scripture
Our verse for today comes from Acts 5:8, “And Peter said to her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.’ And she said, ‘Yes, for so much.'”
Background
There is a sweet movie I adore that came out in 1989 called Say Anything. In it, two teenagers who just graduated from high school begin dating despite being polar opposites. Diane is the class valedictorian who lives with and deeply loves her divorced dad. Lloyd is an unmotivated, lightly-talented kick boxer with virtually no future plans, living with his sister and her young son. But then, Diane’s dad, who runs a nursing home, comes under investigation for his dealings with his residents. The IRS accuses him of stealing from the elderly patients, and he flatly denies it. Diane, after hearing the details and defending her dad in the IRS agent’s office, returns home, her mind swirling with doubt. So she begins searching and, when she cracks open an antique box, beholds the piles of cash hidden inside. Crushed by the reality of her dad’s actions, she goes to confront him, granting him one last opportunity to “say anything” to her and be completely honest. “Did you do it? Did you take the money?” He replies, “Sweetheart, no. Don’t be ridiculous.” “Swear,” she demanded. “I need the truth.” “I swear” he said. And then the hammer drops. Diane reveals, “I found the money.”
Application
It’s easy to say you didn’t until someone can prove that you did. It’s also easy to say you’re not until somehow your eyes are opened and you realize you are. Our secrets are secrets for a reason. Some are a result of our past, and others have to do with our todays or our tomorrows. Our blind spots, well, they are a little more difficult to pin down. We can live a lifetime and never realize much of what is obvious to many around us, especially if no one takes the opportunity to reveal it to us. But even if God makes evident your condition, the decision is yours whether to hear and accept, or deflect and ignore. Some can’t see it, while others won’t. But some do receive. Some come to God through prayer and the Scriptures to have their heart transformed rather than their notions and tendencies confirmed. The difference in posture before God is subtle, but powerful and life-changing. So maybe, let Him tell you whether you are or you aren’t.
Charge
As we seek Him today, let the voice of Truth have its effect on your heart and on your future.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
Distributed by – BCWorldview.org
Editor Comment: This devotional matters today because so many of us hide behind carefully managed images while quietly hoping no one, least of all God, ever finds out the truth.