November 24

Ecclesiastes 3:3
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up.

Biblical Insight
The Ten Commandments state, “Thou shalt not kill.” Most translators argue that the verse should read, “Thou shalt not murder.” Only in very particular circumstances does the Bible sanction violence, such as in times of war. Because of the sin in this world, there may be times when killing becomes necessary for defense. These seasons should be the rarity. Nations and individuals should always be looking for times to heal because untreated wounds can lead to more times to kill. Many historians argue World War II occurred because the nations of the world punished Germany without mercy after World War I. Without healing, more killing happened. Moving beyond history to our personal lives, we must seek the times of healing and building up.

Daily Devotion
Have you ever had a plan B—a backup plan just in case your first plan wasn’t successful? Someone jokingly made the statement that if this Christian life doesn’t work out, he would make a great bank robber. Although the statement was made in jest, it makes you wonder how many people go into their walk with God with a backup plan.

If people enter marriage thinking there is a good possibility the marriage will fail, therefore they need to have new prospects on the back burner, the marriage will likely fail. Our walk with God is no different. If we entertain hypothetical, alternative lifestyles or allow thoughts of what our life would be like if we were not serving God, we will sabotage our Christian walk.

There is a time to kill, a time to completely assassinate, all backup plans and what-ifs in our walk with God. Sell out completely and whole heartedly; you won’t regret it.