Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

This is the world of E, isn’t it? E stands for electronic. E-mail, E-commerce, E-filing, and a variety of electronic forms of interaction with humanity which might not start with E. Commercials are the first thing I think about when it comes to using the electronic media to covey E-motions. That is because I grew up in the age of television, soap operas, and the budding world of the melodrama.

We are surrounded all day long, everywhere we go, with the all too persuasive force of the subtle manipulations of our emotions. Everything from the sad face of a dog in a cage who needs our support for animal rights to ghoulish twitters of beheadings of the innocent. The E-motion tugs are meant to move us, thus the sly use of the E- to imply that we are being manipulated into motion. They want our support or our money, or both.

Here is my problem with it. Jesus was there, in the midst of the people, making contact, touching lives, in a real and personal way. We have replaced face to face intimacy with a cold faceless electronic device, while offering speed and volume lacks warmth.

I send out this devotional every day and its meaning and purpose hold no power or effect if it does not impact your interaction with at least one human being face to face. It is the same as the Word of God. Words are fine, studies are fine, but it does not do what it is intended to do if it only touches you. The Word was given to enrich your interactive lives with other human beings.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

E-motions are deceiving.

Psalm 40:12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

Recently I was asked to do a study on a common theme which seems to bother many people. I really had not given it much thought, but it seems to bother many, so it must be important. So I answered the call of my brethren and began the study.

The root word was only used twice in the bible, both in Deuteronomy. The adjective form was only used 4 times. Jesus only used that word once. Paul spoke on it only once. It did not totally shock me that so little of the subject was addressed in the bible. So if the bible has so little to say on the subject, why do we as believers seem to be fixated on the issue? I believe the answer is emotions.

Psalm 40:12 is telling us that our emotions about what is going on around us and our emotions about ourselves keep us from looking to Christ. We tend to place too much emotional attachment to issues that have been resolved by the Lord. He dealt with it, it is handled, it is over, but yet we do seem to be able to let go of it because of our emotions.

Rewrite the last line of Psalm 40:12, “therefore my emotions fail me.”

We have not placed our faith in our emotions, we have placed our faith in Christ. So why do we look for the answers to those things that trouble us anywhere except Christ?

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.