The Sin of Misplaced Hope

Job 31:24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;
25 If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;
26 If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;
27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:
28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

The Devil blinds those who have never experienced saving faith by keeping them from being born again. He also distracts the saved to keep them from successfully serving the Lord. Interestingly, the Devil accomplishes both elements using the same means—encouraging men to continue with their misplaced hopes. Job understood that misplaced hope (Job 31:24-27) was a sin and acknowledged it as such in Job 31:28. Some place their hopes in wealth, others in careers, others in family, others in science, and others in physical well-being, but in the end, all of their hopes will be disappointed. Hope placed in anything other than the Lord Himself, His perfect words, and His work on sinful man’s behalf is sin and will eventually leave one with no hope at all.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(For children):God does not want us to trust in anything other than Him (Acts 4:12; Psalm 49:15). Trusting in anything else holds no value (Psalm 49:6-7, 16-19; Psalm 146:3-6; Proverbs 28:26a; Jeremiah 17:5-6).

(For everyone):Think of some things in which men place their hope. Why are these hopes misplaced? How are these things unable to offer true and lasting hope?

(For everyone):How does misplaced hope hinder your life now? How will it affect your immediate future? How could it change one’s reward or destination for eternity?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

Ask God to keep you from misplaced hope.

Thank God for giving you a true and lasting hope.

SONG

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