Covered with Sores and Longing to Be Fed
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Covered with Sores and Longing to Be Fed
People often judge circumstances wrongly. One tends to think that if we can just be rich and successful, we will have all we will ever need. Much of our striving in this world is to get more stuff and gain a measure of worldly success. With this, people often “judge” the poor as not knowing what life is all about. They might think that the poor are “dumb”, lazy, incompetent, poor managers, etc. That can be true in some cases — with the rich and with the poor.
With all our “judging” of others, we need to listen to what Jesus has to say about man’s perceptions compared to God’s truths. It’s bundled in Jesus’ parable in Luke 16:19-31, and shows us where our true riches are.
Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day.
And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.
Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried out and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.”
But Abraham said, “Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, in order that those who wish to come over from here to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.”
And he said, “Then I beg you, Father, that you send him to my father’s house — for I have five brothers — that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.”
But Abraham said, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.”
But he said, “No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!”
But he said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.”
Poor Lazarus was judged by the rich man as being unworthy of any blessings. That is why he never helped Lazarus while they were living. But, even when the rich man was in hell and Lazarus in heaven, he still thought of Lazarus as some sort of unworthy servant, who should bring him water and go warn his brothers.
The rich man was unable to see that even while starving, Lazarus had been in God’s loving care. How could God Almighty be loving and caring for Lazarus, while he suffered so much? God sustained Lazarus’ faith, hope, and love throughout every miserable circumstance. All the world’s riches are not an indication of being better than anyone else.
The only riches that really matter in this world are our faith, hope, and love. These are our true riches. With faith, hope, and love, God will carry us through every trial, temptation, and trouble. The world may look down on us, but the world also looks down on Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh. God came to this world in poverty, to live a life of poverty for us. He was despised and rejected by those who deemed themselves as superior. But, it was our LORD, God, Creator, and Redeemer they were despising and rejecting.
In every circumstance, let us rightly perceive and hold onto God’s truths regarding our faith, hope, and love. In God’s care we are eternally blessed. Knowing that, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, let us always see and know the riches of Your loving care in every situation.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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