S = Isaiah 58:6-9
O = We are studying the work of the prophets during the “Collapsing Kingdom” years in Israel and Judah. Their primary function was to speak God’s Word for today (challenging social and personal injustices and any form of idolatry or wickedness) not predicting the future. Their message was crucial, but not popular because they said the hard things that people didn’t want to hear. The more power and wealth a person had the less open they were to listen to God’s messenger the prophets. At the same time that the prophets warned of coming judgment because of their hardness of heart (towards both God and people), they gave hope to those who would repent and look forward to the restoration that God will bring (e.g., Jeremiah 29:11-14; Isaiah 35:8-10) after the time of exile. We see God’s tender fatherly care for his children (Hosea 11), but front and center is his concern for the just treatment of the poor and powerless. He makes it very clear that we can’t compartmentalize our lives. If we are not treating our family and neighbors with respect and love then our religious activities mean nothing.
A = I need to live an authentic spiritual life so that I am not just doing religious things to buy myself a little favor from God (which doesn't work), but that I am responding to his love for me with love for him and those he has made. That inner change works its way outward and doesn’t stop at the door of the church. I want to decorate with this kind of Christmas light this year…the light of God’s love poured out for the hopeless and helpless.
P = O Lord, may my heart be quickened by your amazing love to make a difference in those around me. Let me see what isn’t working and hear from you what I can do about it. Break down the internal walls I tend to put up to separate my life into manageable parts, instead, shape me into one consistently shining lamp of your love. Help me to make others merry this Christmas! Amen.
“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’…”
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’…”
O = We are studying the work of the prophets during the “Collapsing Kingdom” years in Israel and Judah. Their primary function was to speak God’s Word for today (challenging social and personal injustices and any form of idolatry or wickedness) not predicting the future. Their message was crucial, but not popular because they said the hard things that people didn’t want to hear. The more power and wealth a person had the less open they were to listen to God’s messenger the prophets. At the same time that the prophets warned of coming judgment because of their hardness of heart (towards both God and people), they gave hope to those who would repent and look forward to the restoration that God will bring (e.g., Jeremiah 29:11-14; Isaiah 35:8-10) after the time of exile. We see God’s tender fatherly care for his children (Hosea 11), but front and center is his concern for the just treatment of the poor and powerless. He makes it very clear that we can’t compartmentalize our lives. If we are not treating our family and neighbors with respect and love then our religious activities mean nothing.
A = I need to live an authentic spiritual life so that I am not just doing religious things to buy myself a little favor from God (which doesn't work), but that I am responding to his love for me with love for him and those he has made. That inner change works its way outward and doesn’t stop at the door of the church. I want to decorate with this kind of Christmas light this year…the light of God’s love poured out for the hopeless and helpless.
P = O Lord, may my heart be quickened by your amazing love to make a difference in those around me. Let me see what isn’t working and hear from you what I can do about it. Break down the internal walls I tend to put up to separate my life into manageable parts, instead, shape me into one consistently shining lamp of your love. Help me to make others merry this Christmas! Amen.
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