Today's Reading
Ezra begins where 2 Chronicles left off. After God's planned "Sabbath" of 70 years for the land that had forgotten Sabbaths, God worked in the heart of a pagan king, Cyrus, and sent His people home. Ezra gives the roll call of those who went back to the Promised Land. It tells also about the refurbishing of the Temple in Jerusalem. What a homecoming they had!
1 Corinthians today is more personal to me than ever before. Some people I love more than life itself are caught up in this world's wisdom which considers the ways of God "foolishness." I find comfort in Paul's simple proclamation of the cross. It makes me even more focused in my prayers because only God can bring a person away from the wisdom of the world to the only source of Eternal Life.
Psalms. "13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.
14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."
Amen!
Proverbs. Be cautious that you don't try to take matters into your own hands. If someone is being treated unfairly by a double standard, God is not pleased. Both of today's verses, I think, apply to the recent controversy at Chick-Fil-a. When their CEO spoke in favor of a Biblical standard for marriage, the politically correct movement tried to shout him down, even threatening to keep Chick-Fil-a from opening new restaurants in places. One by one, Americans began to speak up in support of free speech, expressing their support for Chick-Fil-a. Clearly, the restaurant CEO was within his rights as an American, but many opponents wanted to impose a double standard upon him. Because I agree with his statement, it is tempting to take this matter into my own hands by hating those who hate Chick-Fil-a. I must not do so! Jesus died for them and they need to know His grace and mercy.
What do you notice? What speaks to you?
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