Day 51 – Sin, Judgment, and Salvation (Isaiah 15 – 66)

The theme in today’s reading centers around our sin, God’s judgment, and salvation.  Every human sins – sometimes subconsciously and sometimes with deliberate intent.  Isaiah 47 clearly describes intentional sinning in verse 10 which reads, “You felt secure in your wickedness, you said, ‘No one sees me.’”   Sound familiar?  Sins committed in thought certainly fit the bill, but I’m sure you can think of other overt sins committed in the privacy of your home.  Isaiah 24:5 reports, “The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.”  Any time we fail to live up to God’s standard or Jesus’ example, we are sinful. 

As a Christian, the consequence of sin is most devastating in how it impacts our relationship with God.  “…your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2)  What can be worse in a relationship than separation?  How about God not hearing your prayers?!?!  Sin creates distance between us and God, destroying the opportunities for intimate conversation and relationship building.

As we discipline and guide our children following wrongdoing, God may judge and discipline us.  Judgment for sin may bring mourning, suffering, desolation, terror, snares, brokenness, and shame. (Isaiah 24)  In recognizing their sins, the people see that God is the answer.  “He will shallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces…he might save us…let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” (Isaiah 25:8-9)  There is hope in those words and with good reason, as God wants to remove sin from our lives and restore our damaged relationship.

Why does God offer us salvation?  “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4)  God makes it clear that He not only wants to be in a relationship with us but to be the priority in our lives.  “For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, you Savior.” (Isaiah 43:3)

Lastly, God offers much more than just forgiveness of sins.  He promises to care for us and to be there through the tough times.  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)  I don’t know about you, but sometimes, I feel like I’ve been burned.  The problem is that I will never know all that God protected me from.  God doesn’t say I won’t feel the heat, but in my self-centeredness, as soon as I see flames, feel heat, and start to sweat, I think I’m ablaze!  God has to remind me, “…my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)  I will never be as holy or as righteous as God, so I can never understand my circumstances and my world like He can.  He promises, however, to “…hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’” (Isaiah 41:13)  We don’t need to know and understand everything when we trust God who knows all things, is ever-present, and all-powerful.

My prayer today:

Lord, I know that I am a sinner.  I am due much harsher judgment and punishment than I’ve received.  Thank you for wiping my sin away, restoring my relationship with you, and walking through the fire with me.  I can’t bear to have you turn away and not hear me, Lord, so forgive me for the sins that separate me from you.  I know that it is my actions that cause our separation, and I ask that you cast those sins away forever.  Amen

Add a comment July 7, 2010

Day 39 – Psalms

Well, I cheated with Psalms.  I listened to it on audio CD, instead of reading.  It seemed more fitting for poems/lyrics.  Many of the psalms were songs, and there are lots of great contemporary songs that seem to have originated from a psalm.  We sing many of those songs in church.  Two Sundays ago, Edward and I got to talking about how people in front of us slightly turn their heads or glance back when we are seeing.  We cracked up when we each apologized for our singing being the cause of those uncomfortable movements in front of us.  When I was a kid, I tried to sing quietly knowing that I was frequently off-key.  Now, I belt out my “joyful noise” (Psalm 98:4) shamelessly.  Sorry if you sit in front of me…there are plenty of vacant pews toward the front.

Psalms offers something for everyone.  There are poems about God’s holiness, provisions, protection, glory, and righteousness.  Others request God’s help, beg for forgiveness, and shout victory.  I tend to like the more upbeat ones.  It’s too easy to fall into the “woe-is-me, too” attitude when the psalmist is lamenting over something or other.  Actually, these days I may prefer the sexy prose of Song of Solomon (Edward’s looking so good!)…I’ll get there soon.  In several psalms, I noticed the phrase “his steadfast love endures forever”. (Psalm 100:5, 106:1, 107:1, 118:2)  Isn’t that a beautiful phrase?

In contemporary times, we might translate “his steadfast love endures forever” as “unconditional love”.  We often hear that parents have unconditional love for their child, and dogs have unconditional love for their owner.  I’m not sure that as flawed, sinful humans that we can claim that we are capable of unconditional love.  I am certain, however, of God’s unconditional, steadfast, and enduring love, because I am the recipient.  Unconditional love is wrapped in grace; it is completely undeserved.  Honestly, the words “steadfast”, “enduring”, and “unconditional” aren’t effective in describing God’s love.  It’s a love that is beyond our comprehension and capability to understand.  To top it off, IT’S FREE!

My prayer today:

Lord, thank you for music, the great joy it brings to my life, and the great pleasure I get out of worshipping you with song!  Thank you, also, for loving me so completely and undeservedly.  Help me to model my love for others after the love you’ve shown me.  Grace is not a gift of mine, Lord, but I can do better.  Help me to love others in a way that is pleasing to you.  Amen

Add a comment June 24, 2010