Today’s Readings: Psalm 92, 2nd Kings 1; Zechariah 5; James 4:11-5:12
Today’s first reading is a hymn of thanks and praise to God and celebrates His greatness in presiding over His creation and His goodness toward His faithful. The psalm reminds me to give thanks and to sing praise to Him in the morning and in the evening. As I begin my day, let me look to the Lord for strength, perspective, and a servant’s heart to accomplish His will in my life. As I end my day, let me look to the Lord to celebrate the successes and for wisdom to identify areas where I could have done better.
The second reading tells of God’s message to and judgment upon Ahaziah (sixth king of Judah), who worshipped Baal. Ahaziah seeks consolement, during time of sickness, from a false deity identified in the text as, “Baal-zebub, god of Ekron.” God delivered this message and judgement by the hand of His prophet Elijah. How important it is to recognize the true source of life and death.
The third reading recounts two of Zechariah’s visions; one of a flying scroll and the other of a woman in a basket carried away by two other women. The scroll is said to represent the “curse that goes out over the face of the whole land.” The woman is said to represent wickedness and the two women are said to represent the carrying away of the wickedness to the land of Shinar where a house is built for it. The idea is that, it is removed a safe distance, never to trouble God’s people by their wickedness again.
Zechariah is one of the most obscure of the minor prophets, and it may not always be readily apparent how his message can apply to my life. One thing is certain; he served a purpose and was given a work to accomplish. Zachariah lived in a time when God’s people needed a motivator and he fulfilled that role. I live in a time and in a culture that require boldness yet meekness to speak forth the word of truth. May I ever be ready to do that without faltering!
Today’s final reading encourages me to be a good steward of what God has entrusted to me. Warning is sounded, lest I be accused as were the rich of James’ day, “Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten” and are “evidence against you” and the voice of those whom you have defrauded are “crying out against you.” What a terrible picture is painted by the words of James. May they never describe me. I am also encouraged to be patient, to establish my heart and to be known as one who can be trusted when he says something.
Have a blessed day dear friend.–Randy Sexton