August 1, 2012

Holier Than Thou (8/1)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 64-66.

It is not uncommon to hear people use the phrase “holier than thou” to speak critically of those who arrogantly operate as if they are somehow better than others (or are perceived to do so). People do not appreciate it when others act in this way. The passage below shows us what God thinks about this attitude.

“Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day” (Isaiah 65:5).

As God described this “rebellious people” (v. 2) who would “continually provoke” Him (v. 3), one of His complaints against them was this arrogant, “holier than thou” attitude they had toward their fellow man.
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July 31, 2012

Abraham Does Not Know Us (7/31)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 59-63.

We sometimes wonder who is paying attention to us. Will anyone notice what we are doing? Will our good deeds be seen and remembered by others? Maybe not, but the following passage provides some encouragement.

“For You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not recognize us. You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is Your name” (Isaiah 63:16).

Generally, people like to be noticed for the good that they do. To be recognized by a well-known man of faith may seem important for many Christians. But ultimately, it is not all that important.
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July 30, 2012

He Is Hated by All the Denominations

The following is a quote from J.D. Tant (1861-1941):

J. D. Tant“Brother W. M. McIntyre has done more preaching and baptizing than any other preacher in the county, and is hated by all the denominations, and is never called upon to help in their union meetings. This causes me to think he is a man of God, sound in the faith” (Published in Gospel Advocate, April 29, 1897; Quoted from J. D. Tant – Texas Preacher, p. 177-178).

Why would Tant say that one being “hated by all the denominations” was an indication of his being “sound in the faith”? Notice that he mentions Brother McIntyre doing two things: preaching and baptizing.
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July 30, 2012

"Seek the Lord While He May Be Found" (7/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 54-58.

The Lord abounds in mercy and is willing to save us. Yet we must appreciate the urgency of the salvation He offers. Notice what Isaiah says:

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).

God is willing to show “compassion” and is able to “abundantly pardon,” but there is a time limit on his mercy. He does not offer salvation indefinitely. We must seek Him “while He may be found” and “call upon Him while He is near.” Otherwise, we will be too late.
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July 29, 2012

Do Not Fear the Reproach of Men (7/29)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 49-53.

The Lord offers some words of comfort for all of His people who must suffer for their faith.

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, a people in whose heart is My law; do not fear the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them like a garment, and the grub will eat them like wool. But My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation to all generations” (Isaiah 51:7-8)

Persecution is inevitable for the child of God (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet we must not fear those who would persecute us (cf. Matthew 10:28). The Lord gives two reasons why we should not fear or be overcome by them:
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July 28, 2012

Those Who Make the Idols Will Be Like Them (7/28)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Kings 18:9-19:37; Psalm 46, 80, 135.

The children of Israel were repeatedly warned about following the gods of the nations around them. God’s people must still guard against this today (1 John 5:21). The following passage contains another warning about the danger posed by idols.

“The idols of the nations are but silver and gold, the work of man’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear, nor is there any breath at all in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, yes, everyone who trusts in them” (Psalm 135:15-18).

All idols are simply the inventions of man. Therefore, they are dumb, blind, deaf, and dead. But the interesting thing about these dumb, blind, deaf, and dead idols is that those who invent them “will be like them.”
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July 27, 2012

If Only You Had Paid Attention (7/27)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 44-48.

God desires to bless and reward His people. But the rewards He promises are, and have always been, conditional.

“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sand, and your offspring like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from My presence’” (Isaiah 48:17-19).

Following God’s instructions by walking in His ways leads to a reward. During the time of the Old Law, this reward was physical prosperity, peace, and a continued preservation of the nation of Israel. Today is a little different. We may not have physical prosperity (1 Corinthians 15:19) or peace (2 Timothy 3:12). The nation in which we live could fall, leading to economic instability and hardship (Proverbs 27:24). But God does promise a reward to us if we are faithful today.
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