Readings for today: Genesis 46-47, Matthew 15:1-28, Psalms 19, Proverbs 4:14-19
“Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit." (Matthew 15:14)
This verse seems so apropos in our world today where godly leadership is in such short supply. Our political leaders are easy targets, of course. Their hypocrisy is obvious. Their decisions are mostly self-serving. They seem to love self-promotion. They routinely place party loyalty above the collective good of the nation. Godly principles are sacrificed on the altar of expediency. But before we rush to cast the first stone, let’s be honest and acknowledge we are not much different. The decisions we make on a daily basis in our homes, schools, businesses and churches are often guided by selfish desires. We are not immune from the temptation to compromise our godly character for the sake of material gain. The rise of social media gives us all a platform to self-promote. We routinely place loyalty to ourselves above the common good. We are all blind if we’re honest.
God’s Word is given to us as a gift to open our eyes. To help us see the poverty of our condition. To help us come to grips with the depravity of our hearts. Without Christ, we are all wicked, stumbling about in the deep darkness. With Christ, we are made righteous. Our hearts yearn for God. We want to walk in His ways and allow His commands to guide our lives. As we pursue Christ, our righteousness begins to shine like the dawn and as we grow in Christ, the light of our lives shines brighter and brighter with each passing year. I love how Proverbs 4 put it, “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.” (Proverbs 4:18-19)
Why read the Bible? Why pick up this dusty old book? Why does it continue to be the most translated, most purchased, and most treasured book of all time? Because there is something hardwired deep into our souls that knows the truth. “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb...” (Psalms 19:7-10) The single most important thing you can do for your own spiritual growth is to meditate on God’s Word. To reflect daily and prayerfully on what He has to say. To absorb what God has to say about life. About our world. About love. About grace. About righteousness and holiness and what it means to live for Him. There simply is no substitute. No shortcut. No other way to truly know the Lord than to read His Word over and over again.
I love how the Psalmist concludes his song of praise. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14) Open our eyes that we may see the glories of your Word, Father! Lead us in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake! Let our light shine like the dawn in our darkened world that many will see and believe Your Truth today!
Readings for tomorrow: Genesis 48-49, Matthew 15:29-16:12, Psalms 20, Proverbs 4:20-27