Reading
SAA Notes
In times of distress, look to God and ask Him to be gracious to you. May our eyes see the King of kings in His beauty and find comfort and strength.
SJA Notes
* Holy God, please open our eyes to see You today.
“He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil,”
What does true religion look like?
Isaiah has wisdom for us today.
We are to follow our King, the Righteous One.
Jesus tells us that if we love Him we are to do what He tells us.
We are to speak rightly, bearing God’s Name well. To be upright in our speech, not slouching, lazy, bent or crooked.
We are to find the gains (relational, financial, political etc) from oppression in all its forms as poison and stench, run far from it! And run from any hint of dodgy dealings, anything that hints at compromise of God’s faithfulness in our witness to those around us.
We are to be a people that does not exalt in the shedding of blood. From the unborn to the aged and infirmed, from the glory of ruthless anti-heroes to the real-life rioting and looting, and all the spectrum that is between the pillars and posts – We are to be a people who reject that way of thinking.
And we are to shut our eyes from looking at evil. Temptation comes in all forms, many and varied. Are we resisting?
This is what true religion looks like.
Let us be encouraged and exhorted today.
* Dear God,
Please help us do what You tell us.
Please help us know what to do. Show us from Your word, reveal Your will for us as Your Spirit writes Your word on our hearts.
Please forgive us today Lord God, cleanse us from the muck of our daily sin.
Amen.