SEPTEMBER 5 - Chasing What Lasts
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 23:4–5; Psalm 102; Leviticus 9–10
3-Year Bible Devotional Book Available on Amazon.
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“Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.” — Proverbs 23:4–5
“My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass... But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations.” — Psalm 102:11–12
“Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.” — Leviticus 10:2
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Life moves fast—especially when you’re a teen trying to balance school, friends, sports, family, and maybe even a part-time job. It’s easy to get caught up chasing things that seem so important now: good grades, popularity, or even money. But Proverbs 23:4–5 reminds us that when we make those things our top priority, they vanish just like a dream when you wake up. Psalm 102 brings the focus back to what really lasts—God’s unchanging presence, even when everything else feels temporary or falling apart.
And in Leviticus 10, we see a harsh reminder that treating God's holiness lightly has real consequences. Nadab and Abihu thought they could worship God their own way, but it cost them their lives.
These passages challenge us to ask: What am I really living for?
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THINK ABOUT IT
1. What Are You Chasing? Are you spending most of your time trying to impress others, get more stuff, or be the best? Take a step back and ask yourself—will any of that still matter in 10 years? How about in eternity?
2. God Is Constant: When everything else changes—your friend group, your emotions, even your goals—God remains the same. How can you anchor your life in Him instead of what’s temporary?
3. Respect God's Holiness: Nadab and Abihu's story might seem extreme, but it shows that God takes our worship seriously. Are you treating Him with reverence, or casually like a side hobby?
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BOTTOM LINE
Everything in this world fades, but God is forever. Don’t waste your life chasing what won’t last. Choose what matters: honoring God, knowing Him, and living for His glory.
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PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that not everything I chase after is worth it. Help me to see what truly matters and to put You first in my life. Teach me to honor You with my time, my choices, and my heart. Help me walk closely with You and not get distracted by things that fade. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
