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April 20 Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 20-21

"Thy Servant Was Busy Here And There"

I Kings 20:40

Hugo Grotius of Holland was one of the most brilliant and influential men of the 17th century. He was a poet and a philosopher of recognition. He was a theologian, whose commentaries on the scriptures are regarded by many to be of great value. And Grotius was, perhaps, the most significant historian of his day. But when he laid dying from wounds he suffered in a shipwreck, he made this statement — “I have consumed my life in a laborious doing of nothing! I would give all my learning and honor for the plain integrity of John Urick,” a poor, but godly man with whom he was acquainted. Grotius was busy here and there. But in the end he lost his soul; and everything else was vanity!

I once read of a dying nobleman who exclaimed upon his deathbed — “Good God, how have I employed myself! In what delirium has my life been passed! What have I been doing while the sun in its race and the stars in their courses have lent their beams, perhaps only to light my way to perdition! I have pursued shadows, and entertained myself with dreams. I have been treasuring up dust and sporting myself with the wind. I might have grazed with the beasts of the field, or sung with the birds of the woods, to much better purposes than any for which I have lived!” This man had everything a man could want, but peace with God. He was busy here and there. He had gained the whole world. But he called his life a “delirium,” a vain and meaningless dream. In the end he lost his soul; and everything else was vanity!

Let us not be so foolish! Do not allow the cares of this world to destroy your soul. Do not allow the providential blessings of life to keep you from Christ. Has God given you a wife? Do not allow your wife to keep you from God. Has the Lord given you children? Do not let your children keep you from worshipping Christ. Has God given you a business? Do not allow your business to interfere with worship, prayer, and obedience to your Lord.

Let us not be busy here and there with this world to the ruin of our immortal souls. We have a Savior to honor, a kingdom to serve, a gospel to preach, and a constant sacrifice to make (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As wise men and women, let us redeem the time God has given us and serve him well in it for Christ's sake (1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Ephesians 5:15-16).

Don Fortner

Pastor Fortner’s