Psalm of the Day: Psalm 60
Wisdom of the Day: Ecclesiastes 2:12-17
Scripture Reading: Luke 5:27-32
We are taught, secondly, in this passage that conversion is a cause of joy to a true believer. We read, that when Levi was converted, he made a "great feast in his own house." A feast is made for laughter and merriment. Levi regarded the change in himself as an occasion of rejoicing, and wished others to rejoice with him.
We can easily imagine that Levi's conversion was a cause of grief to his worldly friends. They saw him giving up a profitable calling to follow a new teacher from Nazareth! They doubtless regarded his conduct as a grievous piece of folly and an occasion for sorrow, rather than joy. They only looked at his earthly losses, by becoming a Christian. Of his spiritual gains, they knew nothing.
In the same way, there are many like them. There are always thousands of people who consider salvation a misfortune. Instead of rejoicing, they only shake their heads and mourn.
Let us settle it in our minds that Levi did right to rejoice, and if we are converted, let us rejoice likewise. Nothing can happen to a man, which ought to be such an occasion of joy, as his conversion. It is a far more important event than being married, or being made a nobleman, or receiving a great fortune.
Saved by the blood of the Crucified One!
Now ransomed from sin and a new work begun,
Sing praise to the Father and praise to the Son,
Saved by the blood of the Crucified One!
Chorus:
Saved, I'm saved! glory, I'm saved!
My sins are all pardoned, my guilt is all gone!
Saved, I'm saved! glory, I'm saved!
I’m saved by the blood of the Crucified One!
Let us not heed the opinion of the world in this matter. They speak evil of things which they know nothing of. Let us, with Levi, consider every fresh conversion as a cause for great rejoicing. Never ought there to be such joy, gladness, and congratulation as when our sons, or daughters, or brethren, or sisters, or friends, are born again and brought to Christ.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.
Action Plan: Take time to examine how much joy my salvation brings to me. Joy is not an emotion. It is a fruit of the Spirit. If I lack joy today, is it because I am not walking with God as he intends?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
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