DAY 202 Read Isaiah 56 through 60.
Today's reading: Among so many familiar and meaningful passages, it is hard to choose which to highlight. Let's notice that the blame for a poor relationship with the Lord lies with the sinner--not with God.
Memory gem: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1, 2).
Thought for today:
Some time ago I visited a man of superior intelligence. He had good looks, a quick mind, and a great deal of knowledge; but he was a failure in life. My interview with him took place in a prison cell. By his own confession he was guilty of more than one crime--many of them.
I said, "Why do you do these things?"
His answer was: "I don't know. It seems that I must do them."
He told me that when he committed these various crimes he knew they were wrong; he was convinced they were wrong; he was condemned by their wrongness, and still he kept on doing them.
Sin was the great barrier that prevented his spiritual victory. He was like the mouse that was caught in the trap by the tip of its tail, yet went right on nibbling the cheese.
Many people are doing that very thing today. They know that what they are doing is wrong. They know they are guilty. They dread the punishment here and hereafter, but they go right on nibbling at their pet sins.
The reason that blessings are often denied us is because of our sins. It is not that God is unable to help. The words of our memory gem point out the barrier.
Whatever it is, my friend, you know and God knows. So break down the barrier; then God can give you a life of victory.
Today's reading: Among so many familiar and meaningful passages, it is hard to choose which to highlight. Let's notice that the blame for a poor relationship with the Lord lies with the sinner--not with God.
Memory gem: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1, 2).
Thought for today:
Some time ago I visited a man of superior intelligence. He had good looks, a quick mind, and a great deal of knowledge; but he was a failure in life. My interview with him took place in a prison cell. By his own confession he was guilty of more than one crime--many of them.
I said, "Why do you do these things?"
His answer was: "I don't know. It seems that I must do them."
He told me that when he committed these various crimes he knew they were wrong; he was convinced they were wrong; he was condemned by their wrongness, and still he kept on doing them.
Sin was the great barrier that prevented his spiritual victory. He was like the mouse that was caught in the trap by the tip of its tail, yet went right on nibbling the cheese.
Many people are doing that very thing today. They know that what they are doing is wrong. They know they are guilty. They dread the punishment here and hereafter, but they go right on nibbling at their pet sins.
The reason that blessings are often denied us is because of our sins. It is not that God is unable to help. The words of our memory gem point out the barrier.
Whatever it is, my friend, you know and God knows. So break down the barrier; then God can give you a life of victory.
RSS Feed
