Daily Reading
Daily Thought
Everything begins with God, not only creation, but character and conduct. The nation of Judah is “a people laden with iniquity, children who deal corruptly” (Isaiah 1:4); Jerusalem “has become a whore” (Isaiah 1:21). This is how prophets talk. Isaiah cries against the sins of the people, the symptoms of destruction, but the sickness is deeper yet; “they have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged” (Isaiah 1:4). The first matter of a nation is her devotion to God.
A prophet mourns the day, but speaks a glorious future as matter of fact:
“It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be lifted up above the hills.” ~Isaiah 2:2
A nation’s only hope, once she has abandoned God, is the cry of a prophet. Whether these are words of terror or hope is up to us. It is God’s grace that allows us to decide whether we are for him or against him before he decides whether he is for or against us.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land;
but if you refuse and rebel,
you shall be eaten by the sword;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” ~Isaiah 1:18-20
Daily Prayer
Father God, I am so sorry for turning my back on You. Thank You for Your Son, my Savior. I wish I wasn’t so self-centered. Thank You for Your patience. I do repent, I have turned around. You are my Lord, my God, my heavenly Father. Thank You for Your grace.
I will follow You. Thank You for Your Word.
Amen
