READING:
One-year plan: Numbers 3-5
Two-year plan: Job 6-7, Acts 19:1-20
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If your obituary were written today, what would it say? More specifically, what would you want it to say? Would it focus on your family? Your work accomplishments? Your military service? Your Christianity?
Today’s reading includes a sort of obituary for Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons who “presented unauthorized fire before the Lord in the Wilderness of Sinai” (Num 3:4). We’ve read their story before, of course. Whatever the “unauthorized fire” was, God was so displeased with it that He consumed them in a fiery judgment—and they would be remembered for that tragedy from that point on. They ended their ministry and life poorly, and their “obituary” thus focused on their disobedience rather than their obedience.
I’ve seen it happen before—a Christian leader falls morally, and everyone remembers the failure before they consider his successes. That’s not how any of us want our ministries and lives to end. God, help us . . .
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Who’s praying for you to follow Him faithfully?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, I pray my obituary will be pleasing to You.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Numbers 6-7
Two-year plan: Job 8, Acts 19:21-41
MEMORIZATION VERSE (Feb 1-15):
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
*first published in 2018
