Forsaking Lying Vanities: Choose Mercy and TruthSample

Day 1: Defining the Lie and the Danger

Read: Jonah 2:8 (KJV or NKJV)

Scripture: "They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy." — Jonah 2:8 (KJV)

Devotion: God bless you, and thank you for taking the time to read today. I thank God that He has given us an opportunity to be alive and to see the dawning of a new day.

Our anchor scripture, Jonah 2:8, introduces a critical spiritual concept: Lying Vanities. The scripture is clear that those who observe (fix their attention on) these vanities forfeit God’s love and kindness.

One might ask: What is a Lying Vanity?

1. A Lying Vanity is anything that is not consistent with the Word of God.
2. A Lying Vanity is anything that is contrary to the finished work of the cross.
3. A Lying Vanity is anything that is contrary to the work of grace.

Child of God, when we allow these lies to dominate our thoughts, we actively frustrate the grace of God in our lives. We turn our faces away from God. We look at the problems, but the Bible says in Psalm 34:5, "They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces were never covered with shame."

Each time we look at God, our faces are made radiant, and we are never ashamed. But the moment we observe the vanities—the empty, worthless lies of this world—we sacrifice the very mercy and grace of God that are available to us.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the grace You have poured out through the finished work of the cross. Today, I choose to align my thoughts with Your truth. Give me the wisdom to identify every "lying vanity" in my life so I may stop observing the lie and start observing Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.