Teacher Devotions: Lucky Charms

Isaiah 46:7 They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his troubles.

When I was at High School all the girls used to wear silver bracelets with lucky charms. The charms were made up of tiny bells and lamps, carriages and locks, precious stones and symbols. The bracelets were beautiful, but I wonder how much good luck they actually brought to the girls who wore them.

For thousands of years, humanity has fashioned silver and gold into millions of lucky charms. Some of the earliest archaeological finds are fertility and prosperity charms shaped into bracelets, necklaces, and amulets. People of every place, age, and civilization want to be rich and happy, prosperous and wealthy. These days, you’ll even find lucky charm symbols on our coins, notes, and lottery tickets!

The Bible constantly reminds us that our lives are not subject to fate or luck. Our lives are given to us by God. If we are prosperous, we bless Him for our successes. If we are in trouble, we look to Him for salvation. And when at last, we leave the surly bonds of earth, we look to God to grant us everlasting life through Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Deliverer, and our Lord.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, the world tries to tell us how to be a successful winner in life, but Your Gospel reminds us that even if we owned the whole world, but lost our soul in the process, we would gain nothing eternally. In these uncertain times, remind us that we will not always be in this world, and that Your word is more precious than silver or gold. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.