Choosing to Live Righteously

Bible Verse:
“Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? “Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. “Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, And if you give yourself to the hungry, And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness, And your gloom will become like midday. Is 58:7-10

My thought for today is the fact that there is a right and a wrong way to live and the higher road is the road less travelled. God’s Chosen People were complaining that they were going through the motions. They were fasting, going to the temple, giving alms to the poor, but their hearts were not in it. Their hearts were still focused on serving themselves first.

God was to get the leftovers. Their neighbors were a means to a personal end. They could care less about the welfare of their neighbors because they were so focused on serving themselves.

They then have the audacity to call out and complain to God wanting His blessings though they were never a blessing to their fellow man. I wonder if we were truly honest with ourselves if we would not see ourselves in this mirror of service. Are we truly looking out for the needs of others? Is our heart and mind focused on serving God and others as ourselves or do we have a personal agenda of self-satisfaction?

We should not expect to be blessed nor have our prayers answered if we are not in right relationship with God. God promised blessings to individuals and nations for those who would fellow Him. Jesus gave us am outstanding example. We can choose to follow Him and be blessed or continue to focus on the things that truly do not count for time and eternity. The choice is ours as it was for Israel several thousand years ago. The stakes are high because we serve a High and Holy God.

Do you want to experience the blessings of God? Have you experience the grace of God through answered prayers? Is your heart and mind right with God and are you living out the Great Commission that God has called you to live? Today begins the rest of out lives, so let us chose to be different, to be set apart for the glory of God. Other are watching so let’s draw them closer to God through our words and actions.

Bob