By Richard

Read: Numbers 30:1-31:54, Luke 4:1-30, Psalm 63:1-11, Proverbs 11:20-21

“I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”
Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ”
Luke 4:7-8

Relate:
The deal-with-the-devil trope is an oft-employed plot device in various legends. The most famed example of that device is probably found in the legend of Faust, a scholar who turns to the devil after he experiences severe depression and attempts to kill himself as a result of dissatisfaction with his life. One of the devil’s senior demons offers to serve Faust, essentially giving him whatever he wants in life, but at the cost of his soul after a certain amount of time. Faust accepts the offer anyway, an obviously myopic and tragic decision that results in him getting carried off into Hell by the devil himself. 

Another legend that contains a deal with the devil is that of Robert Johnson, one of the most prolific blues musicians of all time. The story goes that Johnson was once a horrible player of the guitar despite his enormous desire to become a successful blues musician. One night, he was at some crossroads when he met a large black man. The man took his guitar, tuned it, and played a few notes before giving it back to Johnson. That large black man was the devil. At once Johnson was able to play the guitar at such a high level that he pioneered rock-and-roll elements that would not go mainstream for another twenty years. Johnson reaped the cost of his deal at the ripe old age of twenty-seven.

React:
The devil offers whatever he can to try to get you to follow him and not God. The deal with the devil is not some grand decision at the crossroads of life that will doom you to his bondage forever as many legends portray. The deal with the devil is to be in and of the world without care and respect for God. The world has many pleasures that have the ability to distract you from God, yet God commands us to serve him and him alone. How many worldly things have you allowed into your life that either have or continue to divert your attention away from God? I myself have many in my life right now. My call to you and especially to myself is to reevaluate your priorities to make sure God is at the head of your life.

Respond:

Dear Lord,
I come to you knowing that I have carelessly allowed many worldly distractions that hinder me from knowing you more. I ask that you forgive me for my weakness and immaturity in the faith. Grant to me a discerning mind and a guarded heart deserving of you, O God.
Amen