Monday, July 20, 2020

Daily Lesson for July 20, 2020

Today's Daily Lesson comes from Isaiah chapter 33 verses 5 and 6 and 14b-16:
The Lord is exalted, he dwells on high;
    he filled Zion with justice and righteousness;
6 he will be the stability of your times,
    abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
    the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.
14b “Who among us can live with the devouring fire?
    Who among us can live with everlasting flames?”
15 Those who walk righteously and speak uprightly,
    who despise the gain of oppression,
who wave away a bribe instead of accepting it,
    who stop their ears from hearing of bloodshed
    and shut their eyes from looking on evil,
16 they will live on the heights;
    their refuge will be the fortresses of rocks;
    their food will be supplied, their water assured.

Isaiah speaks of hardship to come.  The ground shifts and the earth shaken.  Yet those who set their feet on the firm foundation of the God of justice and righteousness will find their "stability" for their "times". 
The day of reckoning comes.  But it is not a day to be feared.  They who walk upright shall find in it a day of salvation.  They who have not built their houses on lies and bribes and the oppression of others will find in it a peace.
And the one who fears the LORD shall find in that great day a day of hope, comfort, and provision for all people and be glad. 
And the fiery furnace the people have had to endure will turn out for their purification; and the righteous shall be saved for the sake of the Beloved Community which is being born.
That is the promise; and I'm holding onto it today.

NOTE: We are reading the Bible through this year.  Tomorrow's Lesson comes from Isaiah chapters 35 and 36.

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