Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.

Isaiah 1

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Isaiah 1:4

Today, I started a deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - which my wife Lisa has strongly recommended. In fact, we are studying this together - starting with each us doing our own daily study during the morning/day, and we convene together in the evening to share our thoughts on the study.  For me, today the key takeaway lies with the last question from the study for day 1, which asks what parallels do we see with current times - my response is that there are many who profess to believe in God today who are no less hypocritical or wicked then Judah was during Isaiah's time.  Isaiah 1 lists out the many sins of Judah, including:

• corruption (v4)
• forsaken the Lord (v4)
• empty spiritual disciplines (v11, 13)
• poor treatment of those in need (v17)
• murderers (v21)
• thieves (v23)

I often feel as if my spiritual disciplines are empty or I poorly treat others (everyone has some degree of need, including the need to hear and see the gospel).  I deserve judgement and condemnation just as much as Judah did in Isaiah's day.  God help me!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who is so good to me...even though I know I am sinful and my sin persists.  You are full of grace for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving.  Please forgive me for my sin...worry, etc. and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please provide wisdom and energy for myself and Lisa. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

Genesis 18

Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? v23

God wants us to love our neighbor (or others) as ourselves (see multiple references here) and of course neighbor should be more broadly interpreted as the community around us.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34

We can manifest our love of others by standing up for them when they are unable to defend themselves yet still worthy of defense.  We must demonstrate compassion and mercy.

Lord, please help me demonstrate compassion and mercy and defend those who are unable to defend themselves.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God whose justice is perfect.  Nothing is hidden from You.  Yet at the same time, You are full of compassion, patience, and mercy and often sparing those who know they deserve more harsh punishment.  I am one of those - thank You Jesus.  I am not worthy of such compassion for my sin continues.  I speak harshly of others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.