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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for collecting daily manna), make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Saturday, May 20, 2017
Today's Passage : Subject:God Tires of Empty Worship Bible Verse:Isaiah 1:11-12,14-18 ""The multitude of your sacrifices — what are they to me?" says the Lord. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." "Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." " Message:
Isaiah was the great prophet of Christ, and it is fitting to start our Advent readings with a quote from Isaiah 1. Isaiah is easily the most quoted prophet in the New Testament, for his numerous and specific prophesies about the life of Christ, to be born 800 years later, are remarkable. His predictions were largely responsible for Christ's acceptance by so many Jews.
The first chapter of Isaiah outlines the basics of the problem facing Judaism, that is, why a Messiah was necessary. He rails against the formalities of Judaism. Speaking with the voice of God, he tells the Jews that He is sick of sacrifices and holy days. God has stopped listening to their very prayers.
At least part of the reason is hypocrisy. The Jews are spending huge amounts of time, energy, and money on worship, and yet they do not follow the law. Their deeds are evil, and the poor and helpless are oppressed.
Will God destroy Israel for its hypocrisy? That certainly seemed like a possibility at the time, and indeed, in the coming centuries, Israel would be conquered and nearly destroyed several times.
Isaiah, like many of the prophets, often speaks of Israel's destruction for its sins, and redemption for those who worship the Lord. Even in chapter one, however, there is a difference. Through him, God promises not simply to destroy the sinful and redeem the righteous. He also promises to redeem the sinful and forgive sin: "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow".
This is the first hint that Israel will be redeemed by forgiveness of sins, i.e. by God's grace, brought by a Messiah, a man descended from Jesse and David. In later passages, Isaiah will become much more specific.
Meditation : Prayer : Heavenly Lord, I know I am not alone saying these prayers or reading your Word this morning, but many people unknown to me, from all stations of life, have joined together in this brief moment of devotion. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be among the community of all who pray in the name of Christ this morning, and remain among us always. Amen. |
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