Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 50, 53, 60, 75.
It is natural to feel a sense of indignation when we hear one who has rejected God attempt to explain the Scriptures to us. This feeling should not be surprising, for even God has this reaction to the attempts of the wicked who claim to speak His truth.
“But to the wicked God says, ‘What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you. When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you associate with adulterers. You let your mouth loose in evil and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done and I kept silence; you thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes’” (Psalm 50:16-21).
It can be aggravating to hear atheists, immoral persons, irreligious political figures and celebrities, and others attempt to use (and abuse) the Scriptures for their own corrupt purposes. This frustrates God as well. Such persons have no right to speak or attempt to represent His great and perfect word.
This should also serve as a reminder for us. If we want God to be pleased with our efforts to teach others His will, we must believe, honor, and obey His word. Paul wrote, “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?” (Romans 2:21). It is not enough to speak the truth. We must live according to it.
Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; Psalm 20
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
