The Devil’s Workshop
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The “busiest” people these days are those online, especially those on social media! We are “busy” because we spend most of the day there; usually unknowingly, and mostly not for productive purposes! The alarming truth is, we are not even aware we are that busy online; probably until we see our screen time!
Not that our work is online, or on social media; but our attention is there all the time! We just can’t afford to miss any of the action and gist! But that is the lure; and it is all carefully orchestrated, as outlined in the devotional entitled “The Two Sharp Edges – Of Online Gadgets“. Most of us are caught in a trap; with our time and attention being carefully remote controlled; using addictive online activities!
We are so busy we cannot attend to important things like prayer, personal devotion, and Bible study; but idle enough to roam endlessly online!
The most dangerous waters we can play in are the ones that look harmless to the eye, but have swift undercurrents that can sweep us away! King David, one of the greatest humans to have ever lived, fell to one such undercurrent, through “A Means To An End” called “idleness”.
David thought he was resting from war; but the enemy had a plan, and created a lot of headache for him; which caused a lot of havoc in his family!
READ 2 Samuel 11:1-6
“It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.
Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.
So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said,
‘Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’
Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.
And the woman conceived; so she sent and told David, and said,
‘I am with child.’ (2 Samuel 11:1-6)
Usually, the announcement, ‘I am with a child’, should be a joyful occasion for David; but this one created panic; a lot of panic!
This panic caused David to do everything he could to lure Uriah back form war; to be with his wife, so that he would not know the child his wife was carrying was for David (vv. 6-13)!
When these failed, David got him killed (vv. 14-24). David then took Bathsheba as his wife (vv. 26-27); and God did not take kindly to David’s selfish action (2 Samuel 12:1-15)! The agony this caused David could be felt in Psalm 51; which is regarded by some as the most powerful penitential psalm ever!
Do you remember how it all started? It started with a paradox:
David was “resting” in Jerusalem when he should be busy at war; but “busy” pursuing Uriah’s wife when he should be resting!
If it were today, David would have probably met Uriah’s wife online, or seen her photos online! He would probably not need to get off his bed, or send anyone to enquire! It is easier now than it was, more available now than it was, and more surreptitious now, than ever! But the results have not changed! Even activities online come to roost in the physical world!
It is always dangerous to be busy doing the wrong things! One question we should never stop asking ourselves is:
“What results do I expect from what I am doing?”
We should ask this question frequently; probably at the top of every hour! And if the answer does not come readily, it is likely we have been lured away, and drifting idle!
These days, being idle doesn’t mean we are not doing anything; it means we have time for just about anything that pops up; either at our door, or on our screens!
If we do not set our own goals; and pursue them, others will set them for us, and get us to pursue them! The enemy does that very well too, according to Proverbs 16:27 which says,
“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.” (Proverbs 16:27 TLB )
MEMORY VERSE
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
QUESTIONS
1. How busy are you; and what are you trying to achieve?
2. Do you know that the devil too can make you very busy?
PRAYER TIP
Father Almighty, please help us to be productively occupied; so that our hands do not become the devil’s workshop; and our lips, his mouthpiece.
Written by:
BENNY MALM
For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL
URGENT CALL
By nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God. We ultimately face the wrath of God!
But God in His mercy and love gives us a chance to reverse this trend, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page.
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
The Testimony Devotional website addresses are:
Cynthia Djakwa
Amen