Today’s Readings: Psalm 88; 1st Kings 20; Zechariah 1:1-17; James 2:12-26
The first of today’s readings is a type of psalm known as a lament. I can empathize because there are times that I feel like crying out to God day and night, when I feel overwhelmed with troubles, and when I feel the subject of God’s wrath. God is ok with me expressing these emotions to him, petitioning him for relief and for a ray of sunshine in my life.
The second reading continues the history of Ahab’s wars with Syria and how he defeats Ben-hadad and all his army. Ahab was one of Israel’s evil kings. In fact he “did more than all who were before him” (1st Kings 16:30). In spite of this fact, God demonstrates the superiority of his divine battle plan, that defies human wisdom. God is the God of the hills and of the plain, contrary to what the over-confident king of Syria believed about Him! It does not matter where my battle is, God is there! If my battle is in the valley of pornography, God is there! If my battle is on the hill of materialism, God is there! Thank you, O God, and create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10)!
The third reading begins the words of another prophet who spoke during the reign of Darius, King of Persia. Continuing the work that Haggai began two months earlier in exhorting the people as they began to rebuild the temple, Zechariah begins to tell them of his vision and God’s plan to use natural powers to carry out his divine plan of restoration. As I reflect on how God dealt through the prophets of old and of how his message was delivered, I marvel at the completeness of the picture I have of God’s plan fillfilled through Jesus. Though at times I wish he would speak more directly with me, I am satisfied that my God knows what is best for me. I will spend time with him today in His word and in prayer and allow him to speak to my heart.
The fourth reading continues James thoughts about one doing more than just believing the word but being a “doer of the word.” My faith must move me to action. Help me today, O Lord, to reach out to provide food to those “lacking in daily food,” to provide comfort to the downcast (2nd Corinthians 7:6) and to strengthen the weak hands and feeble knees of your servants (Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:12)!
Have a blessed day dear friend.–Randy Sexon