Pastoral Devotion for November

Spiritual Revitalization
Read John 2:13-22, Hebrews 3:1-11
Everyone has at least one bad habit, one particular vice that keeps us from getting the proper amount of rest, nutrition, or exercise. Left unchecked, such habits can lead us along a path of poor health, sickness, even death. We know better, but we just can’t stop. So many people struggle with the desire to rid themselves of bad habits and promote healthier living. Such lifestyle changes are difficult. It takes strength and determination to adhere to them.
The same can be said for the healthiness of our faith. As worldly powers pull and tug at God’s people, healthy habits of faith often succumb to unhealthy bad habits. Time for reading Holy Scripture is often replaced by work or play. Gathering with the faithful for worship often becomes less appealing than a social gathering with friends. Soon, many Christians grow weak in their faith. It becomes increasingly difficult to articulate what their faith means to them, and how important it is that Jesus endured the tragedy of the cross for their sake.
The author of Hebrews calls Christians to spiritual revitalization. He encourages us to consider all that God has done and continues to do through Christ our Lord. John reminds us that even the temple needed cleansing. We may not need to turn over tables, but certainly there is room in each life for re-commitment to faithful living. Through faith in Christ Jesus, worship and prayer, it can be so.
Help us, O Lord, to overcome that which hinders our faith, that we might seek you always. Amen.