READING: 2 Samuel 18-19, John 1:1-28
“I am not the Messiah” (John 1:20). These words of John the Baptist are always significant words to me every time I read them. I need to remember them when I:
- think I must be involved in everything
- cannot say “no” when I should
- assume I have all the answers
- follow behind others I’ve “trusted” and clean up what they do
- think I should be involved in every discussion
- get frustrated with myself when I don’t know something
- act like I can walk on water
- think I deserve praise
I know I’m not the Messiah, but I sometimes act like I can do all things and should know all things. And, I admit that sometimes I like the praise of man and would have struggled were I John the Baptist and someone wondered if I were Elijah, a prophet, or even the Messiah. My pride likely would have captured me, at least momentarily. I’m sinful enough that I probably would have wanted others to know what these folks thought about me, even if they were wrong.
May God help me today to be more like John the Baptist, saying and truly believing, “I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals.”
PRAYER: “Remind me, God, who I am and who I’m not.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Recognize your need for God today—and rest in that need when you don’t know all things.
TOMORROW’S READING: Weekend is for catch-up and review
MONDAY’S READING: 2 Samuel 20-22, John 1:29-51
*this devotion first published in 2018