The Pit of Corruption is Dug for the Wicked

Scripture: Isaiah 38: 17-19

Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

Scripture Commentary: Only God can lift us from the pit of corruption and despair

Hezekiah realized that God answered his prayers. God delivered him from the pit of corruption, and forgave him. How do you respond when God answers your prayer? Do you thank him but continue with your life as if nothing happened, or do you live your life for our Lord?

Isaiah 38: 17-19 have three important messages:

God answers prayers
We should go into the world and spread his word
You can not talk from the grave

The time is now to live a life for God

Hezekiah expresses the significance of passing the joy of the Lord from father to children, from generation to generation. We have the Word of God because of faithful men and women who passed along the message through the centuries.

We exist for a moment in time, but the time that we have is the time that God gave us. When we enter the grave we cannot work for God, we can only do that for him while we are living.

Live today and the rest of your earthly life for God!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 38

God Breaks Down Stubborn Pride

Scripture: Ezekiel 2: 4-5

The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Scripture Commentary: A stubborn nature drives us backward, not forward

God gave Ezekiel the difficult responsibility of presenting His message to ungrateful and abusive people. God called the people “obstinate and stubborn” because they refused to admit their sin. Even when God pointed out their wrongdoing, the people ignored the truth. Are we turning a blind eye to our sins?

As Christians, we are an example of God’s Word. We must live as He tells us to live. The Lord told Ezekiel not to be afraid, but to speak His words even if the people would not listen.

God will not judge us for how well others respond to our faith, but for how faithful we are

We do not have to fear rejection or ridicule when God’s spirit is within us. He does not give us a task too large to handle, and He is always watching over us when we go onto the battlefield for him. God’s strength is powerful enough to help us live for Him even under the heaviest criticism.

God always gives us the strength to accomplish what He asks us to do. When God talks, we must listen.

Are you ready to hear the Word of God?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezekiel 2

The Lord Is My Mighty Fortress, My Deliverer

Scripture: Psalms 62: 1-8

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence? Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Scripture Commentary: God is the fortress that shields us from harm

David expressed his feelings to God and then reaffirmed his faith. Prayer can release tension in times of emotional stress. Trusting God to be our rock, salvation and fortress will change our entire outlook on life.

God values our faithful work for Him

No longer must we be held captive by resentment towards others when they hurt us. It can be tempting to us to use honor, power, wealth, or prestige to measure people. We may even think that such people are really getting ahead in life. But on God’s scales, we are all a “breath,” a puff of air.

Wealth, honor power, or prestige add nothing to our value in God’s eyes, but the faithful work we do for Him has eternal value. When we are resting in God’s strength, nothing can shake us.

Have you placed your life in God’s hands?

When you do, the so called burdens you carry will leave you because He will carry you through.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms 62

Do You Listen to God or to Yourself?

Scripture: Ezekiel 2: 1, 4, 7

He said to me, “Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” (1) The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ (4) You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. (7)

Scripture Commentary: Love the Lord your God and listen to his voice and hold fast to Him*

Do you listen to God or to yourself? Are you rebellious, impudent and hardhearted? God knows the true answer, so be honest. If you have an open and obedient attitude, God will fill you with His spirit and power so that you can accomplish the job He has for you.

We’re living in the same times as Ezekiel, with people living in sin and saying that it’s OK. Men with men, women with women, stealing, lying, and living only for oneself.

We are made from the dust of the ground yet God chooses to place within us His life and breath. And He asks us to serve Him. How can we serve God and live in sin? We are weak, but living for God will strengthen us for the purpose He has for us.

The Lord told Ezekiel not to be afraid. Ezekiel was to speak His words whether or not the people listened. God doesn’t expect us to understand everything about Him. We are to be willing and obedient servants, faithful to what we know is true, right and Godly.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Ezekiel 2

Additional Reading Also Referenced:
Deuteronomy 30

The Chaff Blows Away, the Grain Bears Fruit

Scripture: Psalms 1: 1-2, 4, 6

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.(1) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.(2) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.(4) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.(6)

Scripture Commentary: Are you the chaff or the grain?

Which way is the wind blowing you? Are you like the chaff being carried in all directions or are you like the grain that’s planted and ready to bring forth fruit for Our Lord Jesus Christ?

The more you are in God’s presence, the more fruitful you are. On the other hand, the more you allow those who ridicule God to affect your thoughts and attitudes, the more you separate yourself from your source of nourishment.

You can have contact with unbelievers to witness to them, but you must not join in or imitate their ways. You are God’s child and by being so, you must do your best not only to live His way but also to show others how God lives in you.

There are only two paths. God’s path which is obedience, or the path of rebellion and destruction. The path you choose determines how you spend eternity.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 1

Blessed Is the Person Who Walks With God

Scripture: Psalms 1: 1-4

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law^[b] of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Scripture Commentary: Are you a person who walks in God’s path or in Satan’s?

There’s no middle ground. Are you taking counsel in God’s Word by studying and living what you read? The person who walks in God’s path is the person who takes the time to know and live His Word.

God’s wisdom guides you, giving your life meaning. After you study God’s Word, meditate and think about what you have read. Talk to God. He will answer you.

The more you delight yourself in God’s presence, the more fruitful you will be. In contrast, the more you allow those who ridicule God to affect your thoughts, attitudes, and actions, the more you separate yourself from your source of nourishment.

Your true friends will build up your faith in God, not tear it down. The more you study God’s Word, the more you will be closer to Him and He to you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms 1

Praise God In His Sanctuary

Scripture: Lamentations 2: 7

The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast.

Scripture Commentary: The sanctuary is only the building; we are God’s light in the world

Our place of worship is not as important to God as our pattern of worship. The church sanctuary may be beautiful to the eye but if its people don’t sincerely follow God, the church and the people in it will decay from within.

Are you merely reciting words you don’t really mean or understand when you worship? Do you pray for help that you don’t really believe will come?

What do you do when God answers your prayer? Do you thank Him but continue to live your life without change? Do you express love for God that you don’t really have? Or do you tell the people around you how God has answered your prayer?

You are the true temple of God

The building is the central place of worship, but we are the carriers of His Word.

Don’t substitute symbols, even so called good ones, for the reality of a living, personal relationship with God himself. Earnestly seek God and catch a fresh vision of His love and care.

Have you forsaken Him? God hasn’t forsaken you.

We are His and He is our Father, and He is waiting for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Lamentations Chapter 2

God’s People Must Live Together in Unity

Scripture: Psalms 133: 1-3

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Scripture Commentary: Love binds us together in perfect unity*

David stated that unity is pleasant and precious. Unfortunately, unity does not abound in the church as it should.

Do you have the true love of Our Lord Jesus Christ in you and in your church?

Oftentimes we disagree and cause division over unimportant and ungodly issues. Some of us delight in causing tension by discrediting others.

Unity is important because it does 3 things:

Makes the church a positive example to the world and helps draw others in
Helps us cooperate as a body of believers as God meant us to be, giving us a foretaste of heaven
Renews and revitalizes ministry because there is less tension to sap our energy

Living in unity doesn’t mean that we will agree on everything. There will be many opinions just as there are many notes in a musical chord.

We must agree on our common purpose in life, to work together as Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us. We must love one another as He loves us.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms 133

*Additional Reading:
Colossians 3

God Discards the Record of Our Transgressions

Scripture: Psalms 130: 1-5

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Scripture Commentary: If God kept a record of our sins, it would become a wall between us and Him

When we ask God to forgive us our sins and when we live the life that Jesus Christ has told us to live, the record of our transgressions is gone. If God kept a record of our sins, it would become a wall between us and Him. God doesn’t keep the record when He forgives us. He forgives completely, tearing down everything standing between us and Him.

We can feel helplessly lost because of our sins, but we shouldn’t let that despair isolate or distance us from God. This is precisely when we need God the most. Despair over sin can lead to self-pity, making us think more about ourselves than about our God. Instead, we must confess our transgressions and let God’s mercy, forgiveness and redemption work through us.

The lines of communication between us and God are completely open

We can talk to God about anything. There’s nothing between us and Him. When we pray, we must remember that God is holding nothing against us.

Turn to the only One who can truly help.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms 130

Into Thine Hand I Commit My Spirit

Scripture: Psalms 31: 1-5

(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou artmy strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

Scripture Commentary: Trust God and commit to Him

We say we have faith in God, but do we really trust in Him? David called upon God to deliver him. “Into thine hand I commit my spirit…” This conveyed his complete trust in God.

When we place something in God’s hands, do we leave it with Him?

As Jesus was dying on the cross, He said, “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” This showed his absolute dependence on God, the Father. Peter also repeated these words as he was being stoned to death.

David, Jesus and Peter knew that in death they were simply passing from God’s earthly care to His eternal care.

We should commit our possessions, families and our very lives to God

Don’t be trapped by the false security of prosperity. Wealth, power and fame have an intoxicating effect on people, making them feel self-reliant and self-secure. They make themselves independent of God. Satan has a way of making us feel dependent upon earthly things. Don’t fall into his hands.

As Jesus and Stephen did, commit yourself to God by living and working in His name.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 31