Today’s Reading: Isaiah 1-3, Psalm 9, Matthew 22
As I start my 25th year as an educator, I still get so excited, like it is my first day. My wife will jokingly tell me I am the only one who gets that way still. I remind her that I know many other parents who are counting down the days until school starts. (We did have a blast making the short trips around time and just being together as we did some travels.)
For myself, as we work towards the end of the summer, it is often a time of reflection. What happened? What did we learn as a family over the summer? Were there any highlight moments? The start of the summer did present itself with an opportunity to move my family. It was hard to think of these changes. I have been pretty content, but looking to do or need more based on selfish and earthly family dreams. My ongoing prayer was for God to put me exactly where HE wanted me. For now, it is still here. Doing all I love. These reflective moments brought me to today’s verses on judgment and hope. Sins of selfishness brought me to my knees when I expected everything to go how I wanted things. I, I, I was a repeat in various places. Today’s verses reminded me about earthly idols that can impact every person. These verses also reminded me about our Savior, who died to wash me clean. To wash you clean.
I reflected upon everything I saw. Lots of selfishness in so many of my decisions, looking more at things of this world and trying to live in this earthly world instead of looking towards Heaven. I lost sight of His glory and looked to my own success or trying to please others.
These verses help remind me about God’s promises of not only judgment but hope.
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
Do the idols in life sometimes get too big to where you can fall into disobedience? Pray for obedience daily.
8. Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their fingers have made. 9 So people will be brought low
and everyone humbled— do not forgive them. (watch for idols we can create with our hands)
11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low;
the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. 12 The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted. (judgment will come)
10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (trust and seek Him always – He is not of this world)
(Matthew reminds us what is truly the most important. )
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first an greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”