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What More Could We Want?

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“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” – Psalm 23:1

John D. Rockefeller was one of the richest men in the world. An interviewer once asked him, “How much money is enough?” Rockefeller replied, “Just a little bit more.”

How many times have we told ourselves that if we had “just a little bit more” we would be happy? A higher paying job. A larger home. An earlier retirement. Better health. Successful children.

But what happens when those wants are met? Are people truly happy? And what happens when those wants aren’t met? When you find yourself unemployed. When in rough times your savings are depleted. When plans for better housing or earlier retirement have to be put on hold. When your health takes a turn for the worse or your children struggle in school. Where do you turn? Turn to Jesus and remember, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

We might not have everything we want in life, but Jesus, our Good Shepherd, has truly given us everything we need. He’s given us his word. He’s given us his promises. He assures us that our sins are forgiven and eternal life in heaven is ours through his death and resurrection.

He promises to provide for all of our physical and spiritual needs richly and abundantly here on earth until he takes us to the glorious home that he has prepared for us in heaven. There through our Savior, you and I will experience the fulfillment of his promise, “You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).

Not long after his death, someone came up to the accountant of John D. Rockefeller and said, “We know Rockefeller was a very wealthy man. How much did he leave?” Without a moment’s hesitation, the accountant answered, “Everything!” A man who seemed to have it all was forced to leave it all behind in the end. The only things that will go with us from this life to the next are the spiritual treasures that belong to us through faith in Jesus.

What do we want out of life? What we need the most has already been fully and freely supplied by Jesus, our Good Shepherd. So, what more could we want? What more could we need?

I’m tired of all the bad news

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God help me! What’s the a solution to all of these problems?

Have you noticed lately the newspaper headlines and the lead stories on the evening news?  They don’t really change much over the years.  Plenty of ink is spilled about the financial crisis, disease, wars, murders, rapes, or other forms of violent crime—seeking the most wanted.  Our eyes watch tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes unfold before us on the airwaves.  Life can often look pretty bleak in many parts of the world.

But the problems aren’t just in other parts of the world.  Sometimes the hurt, the pain, and the tragedies we often read or hear about actually invade our own personal lives.  Being on the receiving end can lead us to blurt out in frustration:

  • “Why are people so unfriendly? There is so much rage and anger everywhere.”
  • “My marriage has been suffering for months, and the possibility of it changing seems hopeless.  Some days I wished I’d never walked down the aisle.”
  • “I can’t speak up. I’ll be cancelled.”
  • “Why am I being bullied and targeted? I’m scared.”
  • “Why do people I love have to develop cancer?  It doesn’t seem fair. I feel hopeless not being able to help them get well.”
  • “My kids won’t listen to me! It feels as though I have completely lost control.”
  • “Why are people telling lies about everything and everyone? Who can I believe?”
  • “I’m so lonely that some days I honestly feel that I am the only one left in the world.”
  • “Why me? What did I do to deserve this? I’ve been the positive one.”
  • “Why can’t I stop? Am I addicted?”
  • “Why is it that MY job was cut? I’m such a better worker than so and so.”

Life has its problems.  Each of us has our problems.  Death, an uncertain world, sickness, broken promises, and severed relationships – do you ever get tired of all the bad news?  It can lead us to wonder, “Is there a solution?”

Yes, there is!  It starts first with God helping us understand that all of life’s problems are really a symptom of the big problem of sin.

And, now the Good News!

The awesome news is that God freely gives us the complete solution to that problem of sin. After living and dying for us, Jesus rose again on Easter Sunday.  He is the solution!  God tells us that he has given us “a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

Tired of the bad news?  Come and learn about the good news of God’s solution to life’s problems.  This news will never become old.

Related Devotion: Who’s In Charge?