Stealing

It is Friday morning, 24th June 2022, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today.

Exodus 20:15 simply says:
“You shall not steal.”’

It is one of the commandments of the Bible. Stealing is such a deplorable thing... I was having my quiet time in the bush outside a little thatched cottage that Jill and I had booked, and I was at total peace. It was early in the morning and I was taking in the glory of God, listening to the sounds of the African bush and the beautiful, peaceful creation of God. Suddenly, a huge vervet monkey pounced on my table. In a flash, he stole a bright yellow banana that I was looking forward to eating. As amusing as this may sound, it broke right through my time of solitary meditation with the Master. I was having a wonderful time with the Lord.

That commandment, “Thou shalt not steal” made a big practical impact on my life. It is not just the stealing, but the infringement on one’s privacy that is saddening.

My prayer for you and me today is, “Father God, let us not do that.” I have done it as an unbeliever and even as a believer. It’s not about stealing physical things but time, ideas of others, emotions and even attitudes, most of all, stealing time from our loved ones. Men, please spend time with your wives. Don’t steal time that belongs to them. Spend time with your husband. Spend time with your children because time is passing away and before you blink they will grow up and be living their own lives.

In Matthew 26:40, Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane. He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, He said to Peter:

“What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?”

Don’t steal time from God. He so desperately wants to help and spend time with you. Have a wonderful day and remember, stealing is unacceptable. 

Jesus bless you and goodbye.