November 14

Today's Reading

Ezekiel. For centuries Egypt had been a world power. Their pride was great and they felt protected in their part of the world. God promised to use the Babylonians to crush them. One pagan army crushing another. A concern I have, as our nation strays from our spiritual heritage, is that God may similarly judge us.  In our past we were often "right" because we generally followed God's ways.  When we don't submit ourselves to Him, we cease being right.

Hebrews. We need to learn from those great heroes of the faith who are mentioned in Chapter 11. They knew that difficulties meant that God is near, not far away. When you and I seek God, we are not to be surprised when things go wrong. If the discipline is because we have failed, we must confess and forsake it, then go on with God. If the discipline is just part of life, God will use it to help mold us into Christ's image. How do you look at difficulties and discipline?

Psalms today is once again a perfect companion to other passages we have read. Notice how much it coincides with Hebrews. Praise God!

Proverbs. Sparks fly with iron. It's the same with the right kind of friends. It's the oil of the Holy Spirit that keeps the sharpening healthy and not devastating.

What insights do you have from today?