Tag: righteousness

Jehosheba – A Heroic Example

2 Chronicles 19-23

In Second Chronicles 22:10-12 we find the account of Jehosheba hiding her nephew, Prince Joash, when he was one year old so he is not murdered by his wicked grandmother after his father dies.  Joash is hidden until he is seven years old when he becomes king, which will be included in some of next week’s readings.  This is the kind of storyline we would typically find in fictional writings or movies.

Jehosheba is a hero of the Bible who saves a toddler from the evil schemes of a power-hungry authority.  Consider how Moses was saved under Pharaoh’s reign, or Jesus during the time of King Herod.  Even with this heroic act, we know little about Jehosheba.  She was the daughter of King Jehoram and married the priest Jehoiada.  These are two historical figures most people know little about.  Her husband led a rebellion to instill the rightful heir of David to the throne in Jerusalem.  Her father was so evil the Bible says that when he died it was to no one’s regret (2 Chron. 21:20).

I want us to consider this last fact, the daughter of a wicked king performed a righteous act that preserved the line of David.  We all come from somewhere.  I know some whose parents, although not perfect, may be considered by the Bible as ‘wise’ or ‘righteous’.  They follow(ed) the ways of God and set a great example for their children.  I am thankful that this is the experience I have.  However, I also know some whose parents may be considered by the Bible as ‘foolish’ or ‘unrighteous’.  They follow(ed) their own ways or the ways of the world, giving no regard to God, and setting a poor example for their children.  This would have been the experience of Jehosheba.  As she grew up she would have witnessed terrible things.  It is very easy to follow the lead set for us by our parents.

As an adult, Jehosheba chose to do the right thing no matter the influence of others in her past.  She made a choice to help rather than harm.  She chose righteousness, not evil.  It may be a challenge for us to move beyond the example set for us by others, even our parents, if that example was negative.  However, we can see from the example of Jehosheba that we can do it.  We can choose to help rather than harm.  We can choose righteousness, not evil.  Our past does not have to dictate how we choose to live today.

When we choose to do the right thing, it will often not look like saving a toddler from an evil Queen.  This was Jehosheba’s heroic act, not ours.  Sometimes our right action might be showing kindness to someone who hurts us.  If our example in life has been returning an insult for an insult, then responding to an insult with kindness will be a great action!  Sometimes our right action might be obeying the law, when others insist we break it.  If our example in life has been disregard for authority and giving in to the pressures of bad influences, then responding with abiding the law and saying no to temptation will be a great action!

No matter our past, let’s look to Jehosheba as our heroic example!

-Michael Cisler

Reflection Questions

What other people from the Bible followed God more closely than their parents?

What are some of the ways in which they did this?

How could a person overcome some of the multi-generational dysfunctions that sometimes follow them into adulthood, and choose to live heroically instead?

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A Man After God’s Own Heart

Ps 5, 38, 41-42

One Sabbath day, Paul came to a synagogue in Antioch (a city in modern-day Turkey) and sat down to listen to the law and scriptures. After the reading was down, Paul got up and gave a sermon. Nestled in the middle of his speech is this interesting passage, “After [God] had removed [Saul], [God] raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.” (Acts 13:22)

How amazing it would be to be known as a man (or woman) after God’s own heart! Of all the epitaphs that we could put on our tombstones, this would be the highest praise. 

But, we know that there is more to David’s life than just this statement. In fact, it seems a little incongruous to describe the man who sent Uriah to die because of his sin and who sent an Angel of the Lord on his people because of his decision to do a census as a man after God’s own heart. 

I think the Psalms we read today – the cries written from David’s own heart – show how he reflected the heart of God. 

In the Psalms, we see that: 

  • David understood that God loves righteousness and hates evil. David repeats the truth to himself that God does not delight in wickedness. When he comes to God in prayer, he describes his wickedness as wounds that stink and fester. This bleak picture demonstrates his view of sin: it is evil and something from which you should flee.
  • David understood the importance of confession. David’s harsh view of sin did not mean that he was blameless. We know that he slipped and fell multiple times and had to deal with the consequences of his actions. Still, when David veered from the good and right path, he recognized it and he turned back toward God. He didn’t minimize sin, and once he humbled himself, he didn’t stay in his sin. Instead, he confessed and repented. 
  • David longed for God. He longed for God’s temple, God’s favor, and God’s very presence. He longed for it as deer pants for streams of water. He describes his soul as thirsting for God. And we know that God is the author and sustainer of life. As the very best thing, he is the ultimate thing we should long for. 

To be a man after God’s own heart didn’t mean that David had to be perfectly sinless. No human is able to do that in this lifetime. Instead, being a man after God’s heart means that we are trying to make our heart – our priorities, desires, and understandings – match the heart of God. 

If we want to be people after God’s own heart, we should: 

  • Love righteousness, and hate evil 
  • Repent from our sins in humility
  • Place God as our utmost desire

How would you describe your heart today? 

-Cayce Fletcher

Cayce blogs at https://amorebeautifullifecollective.com about faith, family, and life. You’ll find encouragement for how to build intentional lives rooted in faith and beauty. Check out the latest post on the human nature of Jesus here. 

Reflection Questions

  1. David was anointed king after the downfall of Saul. How would you describe the difference between the heart of Saul and the heart of David? 
  2. What is your view of sin? How do you show your view of sin in your actions or your willingness to confess and seek repentance? 
  3. What does it mean to long for God ‘as a deer pants for streams of water’? Do you long for God in this way? How could you deepen your desire for God? 

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Messy Parts

Joshua 1-4

Then Joshua son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and spent the night there. Joshua 2:1 (NRSV)

Context is important. Out of context, this verse might convey something completely different from the story that follows. In the same way, when we hear an unsavory detail about an individual, it could easily prejudice our opinion of them. Everyone has messy parts of their lives, but those messy parts don’t tell the whole story.

Descriptors carry weight. Rahab the prostitute… If, in casual conversation, you hear that about someone, what do you think? The modern vernacular is “sex worker” trying to clean up a description about someone who works in a profession that is not lacking in crude descriptors. We won’t go there. You probably don’t think the best of that individual. You ask what happened that they went down that path in their life? So many questions… or maybe none. We write them off as someone who is living outside of God’s will and God’s grace.

The spies are commissioned to go and get a close-up of what Jericho is about. Boots on the ground in an espionage mission to help determine what will need to happen to eliminate a fortress city that is currently situated in the land that has been promised to God’s people.  

The spies get there, they meet a prostitute, and they go lay low in her house. Probably not who they expected to find as a sympathizer. Rahab is knowledgeable about the God of Israel. She offers and provides help to these spies and ensures they remain hidden from the Canaanites, who are wary and fearful of the impending insurgence of Israelites into “their land”.

But a prostitute…

Everyone does not get to choose their lot in life. Millions of people are trafficked or remain in a human sex trafficking situation at any given time. These people do not enter this willingly, it is essentially slavery.

Rahab. A prostitute. By choice? We don’t get much clarity here, but Rahab was likely forced into this situation where she engaged in prostitution. Slavery of this kind would not have been uncommon. Perhaps she was widowed or divorced and had no other recourse? Again, we don’t know. What we do know is that this unlikely ally to the people of Israel changed the course of history. While her profession was unsavory, her heart was made of gold. She had respect for Yahweh, the God of the Israelites, and she was willing to help Israel for a guarantee of safety and liberation. Seems legit. It’s a bad situation Rahab has found herself in, but she has heard of the power of God and wants to be a part of the community that is protected by the almighty God.

The spies promise her safety if she protects them, and they uphold their end of the bargain after she keeps them safe (Josh 6:22).  When Jericho is destroyed, Rahab and her household are spared.

James 2:23-26 says, “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (NIV).

Describing Rahab as a prostitute, something that she did in Jericho, does not do her justice. We are, after all, talking about King David’s great-great-great grandmother. She is not just a footnote in history; she is in the genealogy of the savior of the world (Matthew 1:5)! Rahab is, in her actions, a savior for the Israelites, especially the two spies who trusted her, and is an ancestor to Jesus, the most consequential figure in human history. The Son of Man, the Son of God, the anointed king of the coming Kingdom of God.

When I think about Rahab, I think about a talk that Tony Campolo gave about throwing a birthday party for a prostitute at 3 AM. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWlMV-UmueM&ab_channel=EvanCourtney

Don’t write people off. They may be far from God or living in situations that, for lack of a better descriptor, we would call complex. No one is beyond redemption, and we should strive to extend grace and try to bring the joy that we find in Christ into the lives of everyone we meet, whether they be a pastor, an executive, that elderly woman who sits three rows in front of you every week at church, or the prostitute you bump into at a diner at 3 AM when you are adjusting to being many time zones away from home.

-JJ Fletcher

Reflection Questions:

  1. Why is it so easy to dismiss “unsavory” people?
  2. Do you have “unsavory” parts to your life that you don’t want anyone to know about? What if people knew? How would they treat you? Is there a way you can use the messy parts of your story to help someone else?
  3. What can we glean from the role of Rahab in the victory of the Israelites over Jericho? What can we glean from how the spies treated and trusted her?
  4. Sin is sin. Why does sexual sin have a different gravitas than most other sins?
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A Just God. A Merciful God.

Deuteronomy 17-20

Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. – Deut 19:21

We serve a just God. Since the very beginning, He has worked to keep His justice system in place, while still pouring out His love and upholding His commitment to bring humanity back to Him. In Genesis, it was impossible for Adam and Eve to remain in the good and perfect world that God created for them, for they were no longer good and perfect. They were tainted with sin and death. But it broke His heart to lose His children, so He made a way for them to live out full and meaningful lives, and to someday be eternally reunited with Him in a renewed good and perfect world. 

When Abraham’s descendants were established into the nation of Israel, they found themselves tugged toward sin and disorder, godlessness and false-god worship. And so God gave them a nice set of very thorough, very just laws, such as the ones we read about today. Israel served a God of order and righteousness, and was to be a nation of order and righteousness—a beacon among the lawlessness that surrounded them. Some of the laws found within these chapters seem harsh to us today, but this was before Jesus was sent to justify us freely. There had to be a system in place to bring God’s people back to Him when chaos ensued, and to discourage such chaos from coming about in the first place.

The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He. – Deut 32:4

Fortunately, our God of justice and order is also a God of love and mercy. By making His Son Jesus our sacrificial lamb, we are saved. We need not impose justice upon our neighbor by repaying an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, or a foot for a foot. We, the guilty, have been justified—our debt paid. Jesus, the innocent, took our full punishment. He is our city of refuge, where even the most stained by sin can find rest and grace. 

In Jesus, justice and mercy collide. The weight of the law, which once demanded life for life, was satisfied on the cross. Because of his sacrifice, we no longer stand condemned, but redeemed. Let us walk in the freedom he purchased for us, extending to others the same mercy we have received, and living as a reflection of God’s righteousness in a chaotic world.

-Isabella Osborn

Reflection Questions:

  1. God’s justice required that sin be dealt with, yet His love moved Him to make a way for redemption. How does understanding both His justice and mercy deepen your relationship with Him?
  2. In what ways can you extend the same grace and forgiveness to others that God has given to you?
  3. Israel was called to be a nation of righteousness and order, standing apart from the lawlessness around them. How can you live as a reflection of God’s righteousness in a world that often rejects His order and truth?
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God is >

Job 32-34

Now in these next 6 chapters we have a new character that changes the whole narrative.  His name is Elihu, and he has not been mentioned so far in the book.  He is by his own admission a younger man than the others and so has waited to speak.  The presence of his speeches in the center of narrative gives us a true focus of the book of Job.  It then transitions the book from the negative message of the first 31 chapters to positive of the last 7 chapters. 

Elihu is a wise beyond his years speaker and proceeds to speak I believe as inspired words from God.  He brings a true God perspective first to the arguments of Job, then to the replies of the comforters.  Finally he speaks from God the perspective that we should have.  This prepares us to hear from God Himself in the next section. 

Job 32:1-10(NLT) Elihu Responds to Job’s Friends

Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.
2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. 3 He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. 4 Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. 6 Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said,
“I am young and you are old,
so I held back from telling you what I think.
7 I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak,
for wisdom comes with age.’
8 But there is a spirit within people,
the breath of the Almighty within them,
that makes them intelligent.
9 Sometimes the elders are not wise.
Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.
10 So listen to me,
and let me tell you what I think.

Job 32:17-20(NLT) No, I will say my piece.
I will speak my mind.
18 For I am full of pent-up words,
and the spirit within me urges me on.
19 I am like a cask of wine without a vent,
like a new wineskin ready to burst!
20 I must speak to find relief,
so let me give my answers.

See how I think he is speaking by the prophetic spirit of God within Elihu?

Job 33:8-13(NLT) “You have spoken in my hearing,
and I have heard your very words.
9 You said, ‘I am pure; I am without sin;
I am innocent; I have no guilt.
10 God is picking a quarrel with me,
and he considers me his enemy.
11 He puts my feet in the stocks
and watches my every move.’
12 “But you are wrong, and I will show you why.
For God is greater than any human being.
13 So why are you bringing a charge against him?
Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints

Elihu in one sentence destroys all of Job’s arguments “God is greater than any human being”.

Job 34:7-15(NLT) “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job,
with his thirst for irreverent talk?
8 He chooses evil people as companions.
He spends his time with wicked men.
9 He has even said, ‘Why waste time
trying to please God?’
10 “Listen to me, you who have understanding.
Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin!
The Almighty can do no wrong.
11 He repays people according to their deeds.
He treats people as they deserve.
12 Truly, God will not do wrong.
The Almighty will not twist justice.
13 Did someone else put the world in his care?
Who set the whole world in place?
14 If God were to take back his spirit
and withdraw his breath,
15 all life would cease,
and humanity would turn again to dust.

For all Job’s accusations of God Elihu says that God is righteous and can do no wrong.  Job cannot accuse God of being unjust.

-Tom Siderius

Questions for Reflection:

Who is this masked man named Elihu?

Does he build a bigger picture for you of who our God is?

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When Human Understanding Fails

Job 16-20

Job 16:1-6(NLT) Job’s Fifth Speech: A Response to Eliphaz
​1 Then Job spoke again:
2 “I have heard all this before.
What miserable comforters you are!
3 Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air?
What makes you keep on talking?
4 I could say the same things if you were in my place.
I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you.
5 But if it were me, I would encourage you.
I would try to take away your grief.
6 Instead, I suffer if I defend myself,
and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak.

Bildad then answers Job back again reasoning from human understanding and tradition that he has observed.   If Job is being punished by God then there surely must be a reason for it. 

Job 18:5-14(NLT) “Surely the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
The sparks of their fire will not glow.
6 The light in their tent will grow dark.
The lamp hanging above them will be quenched.
7 The confident stride of the wicked will be shortened.
Their own schemes will be their downfall.
8 The wicked walk into a net.
They fall into a pit.
9 A trap grabs them by the heel.
A snare holds them tight.
10 A noose lies hidden on the ground.
A rope is stretched across their path.
11 “Terrors surround the wicked
and trouble them at every step.
12 Hunger depletes their strength,
and calamity waits for them to stumble.
13 Disease eats their skin;
death devours their limbs.
14 They are torn from the security of their homes
and are brought down to the king of terrors

Job continues to say “I” have done this, “I” have done that, or “I” have said, showing that he has not grasped why the situation that he is in has happened.  All the arguments that the miserable comforters expound are based on a human viewpoint, not on the righteous requirements of a just God.  We want the outcomes of our lives to be based on the good things that we do, not on the grace which God only can give us.  Without God we would all perish instantly with the Adversary able to accuse us just as Job with consequences ending in death.  If God was not good and gracious all would perish from the earth.

In Job 19 the section of his discourse includes these cherished words:

Job 19:23-29(NLT) “Oh, that my words could be recorded.
Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument,
24 carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead,
engraved forever in the rock.
25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and he will stand upon the earth at last.
26 And after my body has decayed,
yet in my body I will see God!
27 I will see him for myself.
Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.
I am overwhelmed at the thought!
28 “How dare you go on persecuting me,
saying, ‘It’s his own fault’?
29 You should fear punishment yourselves,
for your attitude deserves punishment.
Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment

Job speaks absolutely the truth about judgment coming for all.  The revelation that there will be a Redeemer on the earth, and that this is his deliverance is amazing.  Bodily resurrection is also foreshadowed here which also lights up the Word to our eyes. 

Remember as we read the book of Job that the overriding theme is that this is the oldest lesson in the world.  Man cannot justify or give himself righteousness.  Only God is righteous and we can receive it from Him by His grace.

-Tom Siderius

Questions for Reflection:

Have you ever used the logic of the comforters using human experience to explain God’s works?

Are the speeches and answers helping you to understand the futility of our human mind to explain our life experiences?

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The Righteousness of God

Job 11-15

Our reading today starts with Zophar’s reply to Job’s defense of his righteousness. 

Job 11:1-6(NLT) Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:
2 “Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words?
Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?
3 Should I remain silent while you babble on?
When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?
4 You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’
and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’
5 If only God would speak;
if only he would tell you what he thinks!
6 If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,
for true wisdom is not a simple matter.
Listen! God is doubtless punishing you
  far less than you deserve!

Job fires right back at Zophar with a defense of his words and his position.

Job 12:1-5(NLT) Then Job spoke again:
2 “You people really know everything, don’t you?
And when you die, wisdom will die with you!
3 Well, I know a few things myself—
and you’re no better than I am.
Who doesn’t know these things you’ve been saying?
4 Yet my friends laugh at me,
for I call on God and expect an answer.
I am a just and blameless man,
yet they laugh at me.
5 People who are at ease mock those in trouble.
They give a push to people who are stumbling

Job continues to plead with the comforters and God that he has no iniquity in him for God to judge him so harshly.  As the book goes on, we see these themes repeat with the “comforters” replying.

Job 13:20-24(NLT) “O God, grant me these two things,
and then I will be able to face you.
21 Remove your heavy hand from me,
and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.
22 Now summon me, and I will answer!
Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
23 Tell me, what have I done wrong?
Show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Why do you turn away from me?
Why do you treat me as your enemy?

Job 15:1-6(NLT) Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
2 “A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk!
You are nothing but a windbag.
3 The wise don’t engage in empty chatter.
What good are such words?
4 Have you no fear of God,
no reverence for him?
5 Your sins are telling your mouth what to say.
Your words are based on clever deception.
6 Your own mouth condemns you, not I.
Your own lips testify against you.

The direction that all these discourses are going is to bring us to an understanding of what is the essence of the book.  Job is without “sin” it says in Chapter 1.  Job 1:1(NLT) “There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.”  But this verse focuses on the works of man in relationship to God, not the righteousness of God and the justice that His righteousness demands from us.  We can never accomplish by our own effort or will the goodness or perfection of the righteousness of God.  We have a rebellious sin nature that needs to be paid for and atoned for.  In order to have a relationship with the just God we need to be changed from what we are.  Today we see this section of Isaiah 53 fulfilled in our lives because Christ is the way that God has made payment for our rebellious nature.  Only by being changed in Christ can we overcome the crushing defeat of our best efforts to be good.  Our lives thankfully are subject to God’s mercy and grace in all we do. 

Isaiah 53:10-12 But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

Praise God for the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ that has given us new life in him.  Have a great day with God today.

-Tom Siderius

Questions for reflection:

Do you understand the statement about our “bent” nature and what does that mean (hint Rom 7:17-20)?

How can we start to see God in all His grace and mercy today?

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His Commands and Judgments

OLD TESTAMENT: Zephaniah 2

POETRY: Psalm 119 – all

NEW TESTAMENT: Revelation 16

Zephaniah 2:3 (LEB):

“Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the land,

who do his just commands;

seek righteousness, seek humility;

perhaps you may be hidden on the day of Yahweh’s anger.”

Psalm 119:1-3 (LEB):

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of Yahweh.

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart,

who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways.”

Revelation 16:9 (LEB):

“And they were scorched by the fierce heat,

and they blasphemed the name of God who had power over these plagues.

They did not repent and give him glory.”

In Zephaniah 2, we find a poignant call to repentance directed at the humble of the land. The prophet urges them to seek Yahweh, emphasizing the importance of righteousness and humility in the face of impending judgment. This call serves as a reminder that, even amidst God’s warnings, there is hope for those who choose to align their hearts with His will.

The notion of seeking righteousness and humility resonates deeply with our spiritual journey. In a world often driven by pride and self-sufficiency, we are invited to recognize our need for God. This scripture challenges us to reflect on our own lives: Are we seeking the Lord earnestly? Are we embracing humility in our daily interactions? God promises that those who earnestly seek Him may find refuge from His anger, providing comfort amidst the chaos.

Psalm 119 begins with a declaration of blessing for those who walk in God’s ways. This passage emphasizes the joy and fulfillment found in obedience to His law. As the psalmist notes, seeking God with our whole heart leads to a life marked by righteousness.

This reflection encourages us to evaluate our own walks with God. Are we wholeheartedly pursuing Him? Are we actively aligning our lives with His commandments? The blessings promised in this passage are not just for a select few but are available to all who earnestly seek the Lord. As we immerse ourselves in His word and strive to live according to His teachings, we open ourselves to experiencing His goodness and grace in profound ways.

Revelation 16 depicts the severity of God’s judgment as the plagues are poured out upon the earth. Despite experiencing intense suffering, the response of many is to curse God rather than repent. This stark portrayal highlights the hardness of the human heart when faced with divine discipline.

As believers, we are reminded of the importance of humility and the willingness to repent. God’s judgment serves as a call to return to Him, to acknowledge our sins, and to seek His forgiveness. The refusal to repent leads to separation from God and the continued cycle of rebellion. This passage compels us to reflect on our own hearts and our responses to God’s correction. Are we quick to recognize our failings and turn back to Him, or do we resist His call to repentance?

-Jeff Ransom

Reflection Questions:

What does it mean for you to seek Yahweh with humility? How can you cultivate a humble heart in your daily life?

Reflect on the blessings promised in Psalm 119. How can you actively pursue a deeper understanding of God’s law?

In what ways have you experienced God’s correction in your life? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience?

How can you prepare your heart to be more receptive to God’s call for repentance and change?

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At the LORD’s Right Hand

OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 57 & 58

POETRY: Psalm 110

NEW TESTAMENT: James 5

Isaiah 58:6-7 (LEB):

“Is this not the fast I choose: to release the bonds of injustice,

to untie the ropes of the yoke,

and to let the oppressed go free,

and tear every yoke to pieces?

Is it not to break your bread for the hungry?

You must bring home the poor, the homeless.

When you see the naked, you must cover him,

and you must not hide yourself from your relatives.”

Psalm 110:1-2 (LEB):

“Yahweh declares to my lord,

‘Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies your footstool.’

Yahweh will send out your mighty scepter from Zion;

rule in the midst of your enemies.”

James 5:8-9 (LEB):

“You also be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing at the doors!”

Isaiah 57 highlights the wickedness of the people, contrasting their idolatrous practices with the righteousness God desires. The chapter serves as a warning against superficial worship and the danger of following our own desires. However, Isaiah 58 provides a blueprint for what true righteousness looks like. God calls His people to a life of justice, mercy, and compassion—acts of righteousness that reflect His heart.

The fast that God desires is not one of mere ritual, but one of active love and justice. Releasing the oppressed, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and clothing the naked are the tangible expressions of worship that please God. These acts of mercy demonstrate a heart aligned with God’s purposes, as opposed to empty religious practices that neglect the needs of others.

Psalm 110 speaks prophetically about the Messiah’s reign. It describes a vision of the Lord’s anointed seated at the right hand of God, with His enemies made a footstool beneath His feet. This psalm points to Jesus Christ as the exalted King and Priest, who rules with power and authority.

As we reflect on the reign of Christ, we are reminded that no matter what challenges or opposition we face, Jesus is given all authority, and his victory is assured. He rules in the midst of his enemies, and God’s people are called to trust in the ultimate triumph achieved through Christ. Psalm 110 provides a powerful reminder that Christ’s kingdom is both now and not yet—he reigns even as we wait for the fullness of his victory to be revealed.

James calls believers to patience as they await the coming of the Lord. He uses the example of the farmer who waits for the precious crop, trusting that the rains will come in their time. In the same way, we are to strengthen our hearts and remain steadfast in the face of trials, knowing that the Lord is near.

James also warns against grumbling and impatience with others, encouraging believers to live in unity and peace. The passage reminds us that we will be held accountable for our actions and words, and that God, the righteous Judge, is always watching. We are called to endure suffering with patience, just as the prophets and Job did, trusting in God’s faithfulness through it all.

This week, let Isaiah 58 challenge you to live out true righteousness by pursuing justice and compassion. Trust in Christ’s sovereign reign as declared in Psalm 110, and ask God to strengthen your heart as you patiently endure trials, knowing that the Lord is near. Let your life reflect the love, unity, and hope that comes from living in light of his victory and imminent return.

-Jeff Ransom

Reflection Questions:

How can you actively live out the righteousness described in Isaiah 58 in your daily life?

In what areas of your life do you need to trust in Christ’s reign, knowing that he is seated at the right hand of God with all authority?

How can you strengthen your heart in times of trial, and what does it mean for you to patiently endure as James encourages?

Are there relationships or situations where you are tempted to grumble or grow impatient? How can you bring those before God and seek His peace and patience?

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Righteously Seeking

OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 55 & 56

POETRY: Psalm 109

NEW TESTAMENT: James 5:1-6

Isaiah 55:6-7 (LEB):

“Seek Yahweh while he lets himself be found;

call him while he is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts.

Let him return to Yahweh, that he may take pity on him,

and to our God, for he will forgive manifold.”

Psalm 109:26-27 (LEB):

“Help me, O Yahweh my God;

save me according to your loyal love,

that they may know that this is your hand,

that you, O Yahweh, you have done it.”

James 5:1-3 (LEB):

“Come now, you rich people, weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming upon you! Your wealth has rotted, and your clothing has become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you, and it will consume your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days!”

Isaiah 55 invites us to seek the Lord while He is near, to forsake wicked ways and return to God, who is merciful and willing to forgive. God’s invitation is open to all—both Jew and Gentile—as He extends grace and compassion to those who humbly come to Him. Isaiah 56 continues this theme of inclusion, as God promises blessings to all who keep His covenant, including foreigners and those who may have felt excluded from God’s promises.

These chapters reveal God’s heart for justice and righteousness. His call is for people to not only seek Him but also to live according to His ways. This invitation is urgent—God’s mercy is abundant, but it requires repentance and a genuine return to Him.

Psalm 109 is a cry for justice in the midst of betrayal and opposition. The psalmist calls out to God to deliver him from enemies who have falsely accused and wronged him. Though the psalm contains strong language against those who seek his harm, the underlying message is a deep trust in God’s justice.

The psalmist does not take revenge into his own hands but instead pleads for God’s intervention: “Help me, O Yahweh my God; save me according to your loyal love” (Psalm 109:26). This is a reminder for us to trust in God’s righteous judgment, even when we face injustice. God sees the wrongs committed against us, and He is faithful to act on behalf of His people.

James 5 issues a sharp warning to the wealthy who have exploited others and hoarded riches unjustly. The rich are warned that their wealth will decay and testify against them in the final judgment. James condemns the unjust actions of those who have accumulated wealth at the expense of others, particularly the laborers they have oppressed. He highlights the gravity of injustice and the destructive consequences of placing wealth above righteousness.

This passage calls us to examine our own hearts and actions. Are we prioritizing wealth and success over righteousness and justice? Are we treating others with fairness and compassion, or are we focused on accumulating earthly treasures? James’ words remind us that God values justice, and the way we treat others is a reflection of our relationship with Him.

This week, take time to reflect on the call in Isaiah 55-56 to seek the Lord and walk in His ways. Trust in God’s justice as expressed in Psalm 109, and examine your life in light of James 5’s warning against greed and exploitation. Let God’s Word guide you toward righteousness, justice, and mercy as you live out your faith.

-Jeff Ransom

Reflection Questions:

In what areas of your life do you need to seek the Lord and turn away from sinful thoughts or actions?

How can you grow in your trust of God’s justice when you face opposition or injustice from others?

Are there ways in which you might be prioritizing wealth or success over righteousness and justice? How can you refocus your heart and actions toward God’s kingdom values?

How can you actively seek justice and fairness in your relationships and community, reflecting God’s concern for the oppressed?

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