For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Matt. 6
In Matthew 5, Jesus talked about how truly keeping God’s law went beyond mere actions. Having a bad attitude toward another breaks God’s command to love others just as murder does. Here in chapter 6 we see the other side of that same coin. It takes more than mere actions to make a person righteous. Righteous actions done for self-glorification miss the mark. Though we may look like we are loving God and loving others, we are really only loving self. We may get the gratification, the pat on the back, the honor and respect of others that we sought, but we will get no gold star from God. True acts of righteousness are not done for what we can get out of them but, rather, as grateful gifts to our loving God.
Is. 45-46
Contrast and compare the idols (Bel and Nebo) with the Lord. Wow, I love this comparison! Though we likely don’t craft actual idols these days, we still create our own ‘gods’. Careers, relationships, wealth, hobbies – all the things that we set as gods in our lives we create and carry as a heavy burden. It is we who have to hang onto and protect them, for fear of losing them. God isn’t like that. God says to His people, “I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Is. 46:4b). What a relief and a blessing to serve the one True God! We can let go of our burden, take a big sigh of relief, then, “Be still, and know that [He is] God” (Ps. 46:10a).
Ps. 112
What blessings are declared for those who fear the Lord and delight in His commands? “Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.” (Ps. 112: 6). What do we hear when we read that? Remembered by whom? I say that being remembered by man is meaningless – not a worthwhile desire. Thus, I believe this verse means that the righteous will be remembered by God. That is why they will never be shaken. And when we know that God will never forget us, then, “[We] will have no fear of bad news; [our] hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” (Ps. 112:7).