Isaiah 58:9b-10 (NRSV) If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
Some of you may remember those cartoons where we were tasked with finding ten things wrong with a picture, for example, a coat on backwards, a table with only three legs, etc. No problem. I could find fifteen things wrong.
I heard a preacher proclaim from the pulpit that when you point a finger at someone, you are actually pointing three fingers back at yourself. It is easy to find fault—and I am good at it.
In today’s scripture, we are told that if we stop finding fault, blaming others, and saying hateful things and instead help each other out, darkness will be dispelled, and we will be lights to those around us. Isaiah reminds us that if we share what we have with those in need and help those afflicted, the gloom will dissipate and it will be like we are standing in the noonday sun, basking in the glory of God.
Sounds like a plan.
Join more than a half million readers worldwide who use Forward Day by Day as a resource for daily prayer and Bible study.
No comments:
Post a Comment