Ephesians 5:15-20 (NRSV)
Read Ephesians 5:15-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, Verse 16making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Verse 17So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Verse 18Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, Verse 19as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, Verse 20giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Devotion
Oh, how good it would be to always live wisely, make the most of time and understand the will of the Lord, to be filled with the Spirit and sing God’s praises, to always thank God for everything in Christ Jesus our Lord! For therein lies a new life in Christ that rises above the evil of the day and makes us whole.
We cannot deny evil’s presence in the world. The news headlines are filled with atrocities that destroy people’s lives. They reveal a cruelty and disdain for others that we sometimes may see in ourselves.
And yet, not all is doom and gloom. We do not have to give in to the foolishness of debauchery and greed. Filled with the Spirit, we can rise above the evils of this world and do God’s will by singing and making melodies to God in everything we say and do.
Prayer
Spirit of God, make us to be a hymn-singing, melody-making people who turn from evil’s foolishness to glorify you with lives that employ your wisdom and make the most of each day. Amen.