September 17

September 17
One Year Bible Readings:
Isaiah 25:1-28:13
Galatians 3:10-22
Psalm 61:1-8
Proverbs 23:17-18
Supplemental Reading for The One Year Bible.
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog.

Isaiah:
We have great readings in Isaiah today about the judgment and restoration of Israel! I think Isaiah chapter 27 verses 11 through 13 capture the essence of today's readings: "The people are like the dead branches of a tree, broken off and used for kindling beneath the cooking pots. Israel is a foolish and stupid nation, for its people have turned away from God. Therefore, the one who made them will show them no pity or mercy. Yet the time will come when the LORD will gather them together one by one like handpicked grain. He will bring them to his great threshing floor--from the Euphrates River in the east to the brook of Egypt in the west. In that day the great trumpet will sound. Many who were dying in exile in Assyria and Egypt will return to Jerusalem to worship the LORD on his holy mountain."
Q: How do Isaiah's readings about judgment and restoration stand out to you?

Galatians:
Today in Galatians chapter 3 verses 10 and 11 we read: “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith.””  
Q: What is Paul saying here? Why would those who rely on observing the law be under a curse? Do you rely on the law?

Psalm:
Today we read Psalm 61, which has some powerful verses for us to meditate upon when the storms of life come crashing down upon us. This Psalm reminds us of who is indeed our true Rock – our true Refuge. Verses 1 through 5 are so powerful to meditate upon when you are going through a storm in your life –
“Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
For you have heard my vows, O God;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.”
Q: Do you cry out to God in prayer during the storms in your life? When your heart grows faint, do you call on God’s holy name, and allow him to lead you to his Rock? Do you believe that God can be your refuge? Your strong tower against the foe? Do you long to dwell in God’s house forever? Do you long to take refuge in the shelter of God’s wings?

Proverbs:
Proverbs 23 verses 17 & 18 are so applicable to our modern day: "Don't envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD. For surely you have a future ahead of you; your hope will not be disappointed."  
Q: Do you ever find yourself envying sinners?  I have on occasion. And what a mistake that is. When we envy sinners, we take our eyes and heart off of God. We are no longer fearing the Lord. I do think we'd do well here also to realize that we ourselves are sinners. And we can likely even envy ourselves - or envy our old ways - or envy our "glory days" in the past that may have been full of sin. Let's not go down this path at all! For surely you have a future ahead of you with God. And your hope will not be disappointed!

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