September 14

Today's Reading

Isaiah: remember that Isaiah recorded what God showed him. He didn't know if it would happen in his day (some things did) or in a time far off. He spoke of the sin of Israel, "10 Why? Because you have turned from the God who can save you.
You have forgotten the Rock who can hide you." Those words should keep you and me alert about spiritual malaise. On the other hand, some of his words to Ethiopia seem clearly to be about when Jesus returns.

One of my Bible professors used to say, "Just because a prophecy is fulfilled doesn't mean that it is exhausted." In other words, some prophetic words have had multiple fulfillments over the centuries. Think of them as like hills in time with valleys in between.

Galatians: the theme of this letter to the churches in the region of Galatia is freedom through Christ. Paul wrote it to counteract a false teaching which was laying hold of those churches. People among them were being held in bondage by legalism -- the idea that we are made right with God by keeping the law. Paul begins the book by settling the issue of his spiritual authority to show them the right way.

Psalms says, "These people are born sinners." The New Testament tells us that we are all born sinners. However, it seems that some people easily step into the worst kinds of sin, like a child who abuses animals and who is on the way to becoming a full-fledged sociopath.

Proverbs: I choose today to commit myself to instruction.

How about you?