God’s desire for you

Do not love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you do not love the Father. Everything that belongs to the world – what the sinful self desires, what people see and want, and everything in this world that people are so proud of – none of this comes from the Father; it all comes from the world. The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever. (verses 15-17)

Read 1 John 2:12-17

You may remember the story of King Midas. He desired to be wealthy beyond his dreams – in fact, he desired that everything he touched should turn into gold. He thought that this miraculous ability would make him powerful and that it would give him the freedom to have whatever he wanted. In the end, he was granted his desire – and it was dreadful for him! His clothes turned into gold, so that he couldn’t wear them; his food turned into gold, so he couldn’t eat it. In the end, he turned into gold. You could say that he didn’t get what he desired; instead, what he desired ‘got’ him.

God knows what you desire – the things that you want and need. And God desires the best for you. He has chosen you to experience the richness of his goodness as you love all people­ and especially as you love your brothers and sisters in Christ.

God, command what you desire, and give what you command. Amen.

By Fraser Pearce, in “God’s Promises for each day” (LCA, Openbook Publishers (1999)

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