Black Friday

By: Monique Smith

Now from the title, you may think this devotional will be about the shopping antics of millions of people on the day after (some the day of) Thanksgiving. But no, tis quite different my friends. As I went to write this devotional this morning on 1 King 3: 7-14, the Lord quickly drew my mind to “Friday”, which has nothing to do with the text I wanted to write about! We have a few holidays in the US on Friday’s, one which is most important to us is “Good Friday”. But in light of the black Friday spirit, I actually feel like the names of these holidays should be switched. Think about it, outside us knowing the true value of Christ’s death, there is nothing good about someone being murdered. It’s actually sad and dull. Contrary to the hustle and bustle on black Friday, this Friday is actually the one that is good, because of the crazy savings you get. (Unless of course you shop in Fayetteville, then it may actually be a black Friday because you could get a black eye or shot in the mall….smh, I’m just sayin…. Lol).

ANYWAYS, the Bible tells us that “He was despised, and we didn’t value Him….He Himself bore our sicknesses….He carried our pains; ….He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities….He was oppressed and afflicted…..AND on top of that….”the Lord was pleased to crush Him severely” (Isaiah 53:3-10). All of this happened to Jesus and He did it all FOR us! What darker day could this be? To be beaten and crushed for some other people’s sins, who many times aren’t even appreciative of you?! AND have your dad rejoice in your sufferings? Whew man…. Now THAT’s what I call a ‘black Friday” . Instead of Jesus buying electronics or clothes, He bought US! No cash or credit needed, He purchased us with His blood! Instead of scouting out sales in the ads, he researched our records and knew we had all worked in sin and iniquity and He knew death was our reward, but He took that. He took that for us! HE did that for us! Romans 5:8 : ) Jesus is the bomb! I love that man!

Well, I just wanted to share that thought that came to my head. Hope y’all got something from it. Be blessed!

Prayer: Lord, thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you! I love love love you! I owe myself to you because you love me that much! Help me give myself completely away to you because I struggle. Oh man, I struggle. Lord, I love you with my whole heart but sometimes my mind is no where near you! Draw me closer! In Jesus name! Amen.