Today’s Key Scripture  

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

— Matthew 13:45-46

When Jesus suffered and died for our sins on the cross of Calvary, we are told that the veil of the temple was ripped from top to bottom: “Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:51). Never again could anything except sin and unbelief keep us from fellowship with God as we come to Him through our Lord Jesus.

Neglecting time with God in prayer flies in the face of this privilege. It reveals our unbelief: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

God demands to be first in the believer’s life: “You shall have no other gods before Me…. you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:3, 5).

We must commit to spending daily time with God in prayer, because it’s a priceless privilege: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

 

A Prayer for Today

Dear Lord, thank You for the priceless privilege of prayer. I’m so grateful for Your abundant, abounding grace. I’m thankful that Your grace, Your unmerited favor, means I don’t have to earn a single drop of the mighty river of grace that flows freely over me today. Help me walk in the path of Your love, Your righteousness, and Your grace. Help me remember how crucial it is for me to spend time with You regularly, drinking freely from the water of life. And when the challenges in life come, help me to be prepared for whatever happens because of my time with You every day. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.