By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Enduring Refuge

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link

“But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Matthew 6:20 New International Version

After the wheat harvest, the stubble is mowed, put into windrows, baled in large bales, and stacked into enormous straw towers.  The impressive towers stand tall in the fields, but the next day they will be hauled away on trucks to be used in making fiber board.

Jesus warns us of setting our minds on “straw towers” in this life instead of true treasures.  Much of what we value and strive to accumulate here on earth is temporary and worthless for eternity.  Houses and cars and furniture and clothing and electronic conveniences are impressive here on earth, but in God’s kingdom they are more hindrances than treasure.

You and I need to set our minds and hearts on what endures, not on what is temporary.  “The Lord is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV).  The Word of God and salvation in Jesus Christ, God’s mercy that endures forever, this is what will last!

What in your life is nothing more than a straw tower, impressive, temporarily, but of no lasting value?  What have you built your life upon? What do you value more than anything else?  Whatever we value most in our lives is god to us!  What do you value most in this life and in the next?

“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand.”
LSB 576

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado