Beware of Shortcuts.

I love a good shortcut. I’ll never forget taking a shortcut back to our campsite. The rest of our scout troop was convinced I was wrong. But when I arrived back at camp alone, the men looked at me wondering where the others were. Then I took a shower and got cleaned up. An hour later the others dragged in, covered in mud, most of all Chris, who had gotten stuck in the mud. They were all mad.

But most shortcuts don’t work out. I’ve often gotten off a freeway and regretted it. I’ve left hiking trails and ended up covered in scratches. And when your enemy tempts you to take shortcuts—to achieve godly goals by ungodly means—you will pay for it. And that is what the devil does. He doesn’t tempt us to become murderers often. Usually, he tempts us to grab some achievement that we were already destined for, but he urges us to seize that goal prematurely or in an improper way. David was tempted to kill Saul so he could become king, and he KNEW God had already anointed him king. But David also knew killing Saul was wrong.

The evil kings of the Old Testament had it all. But something tempted them—more wealth, more wives, more power? Whatever it was, they were tempted by the shortcut of idol worship. And God punished them severely. Consider Baasha—God struck down his whole family:

“Anyone who belongs to Baasha who dies in the city, the dogs will eat. Anyone who is his and dies in the country, the birds will eat.” 1 Kings 16:4.

There are NO SHORTCUTS with God. Instead, honor Him like David and like Jehoshaphat—whom God blessed with “riches and honor in abundance.” Why? Because—

“His mind rejoiced in the Lord’s ways.” 2 Chronicles 17:6.

Pray. Dear God, help us be patient and serve You faithfully. Never let us be distracted by shortcuts. Help our minds rejoice in Your ways.

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