We’re called to be different by shining God’s light into a dark world! But when it comes to responding to our circumstances, the tests and trials of life, the state of our nation, and other things, are we really acting that differently? Are we responding like the world or like Christ? Are we whining or shining? What can help us be a reflection of Christ?
And in an appropriately related passage from our reading in Psalms, have we become like chameleons, blending in with the darkness around us instead of being who God created us to be?
Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 17 & 18
Psalm 106.32-39
Proverbs 25.11-12
2 Corinthians 5.1-21
Are You Whining or Shining?
Isaiah 17 & 18:
A Remnant … Whining or Shining?
In these chapters, God continues to warn of coming judgments but reminds the people there will always be a faithful remnant (Is. 18.6).
As we watch what’s happening here in our nation, we cannot give up or lose hope either. If we’re believers and part of that faithful remnant, we’re called to be salt and light.
Philippians 2.14-15 says we are to:
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that [we] may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [we] shine as lights in the world (emp. added).
How’s your light? Is it bright and clear? Is it dim and hidden by junk (sin or the cares of this world)? Or do you just whine and complain like everyone else?
I know firsthand how easy it is to fall into whining and complaining.
If we are going to give hope to a lost and dying world, even in the midst of discouraging times and setbacks, we must point to the only source of real hope. Our hope cannot be in the government, the hope that our nation will wake up and turn back to God, or in any person or event. While we should pray for our nation, our leaders, and our fellow citizens, we cannot put our hope there.
Our hope must be in the truths and promises of Scripture: God’s free offer of salvation to those who will believe, His “divine supports” to those who belong to Him, the reality of heaven, and the promise of eternal rewards.
Our saltiness may sting at times and the light in us, when not hidden, will make us different, possibly even targets for God’s enemies. But we don’t want to be like the Israelites talked about in today’s reading from Psalms. And while the light may anger some, it will cause those whose hearts are open to be drawn to Christ.
Psalm 106.32-39:
Holding Out the Light, Not Taking Part in the Darkness
As the psalmist continues to recount the history of the Israelites, he includes these verses about their involvement with pagan religions, even taking part in the most detestable practices.
Verses 35-38:
35 But they mingled with the Gentiles
And learned their works;
36 They served their idols,
Which became a snare to them.
37 They even sacrificed their sons
And their daughters to demons,
38 And shed innocent blood,
The blood of their sons and daughters,
Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;
And the land was polluted with blood.
In 2 Corinthians 6.14-17 Paul said:
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God …
17 Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord …’
Because we have not obeyed that command, like the ancient Israelites, we are often more a part of our culture than we are separate from it. We are so afraid of being called “intolerant” or narrow-minded or ignorant that we have accepted the world’s philosophy on many things or at least been intimidated into silence while unborn babies are being killed, history is rewritten, and truth becomes relative.
If we are going to be His light, the world must see us as different from the culture around us, not self-righteous and prideful, not mean-spirited and argumentative, but holding out to a hurting world the love of Christ and allowing them to see that living God’s way is the way to peace, joy, and blessings.
Today’s Other Readings:
Proverbs 25.11-12:
Loving Rebuke, Part of Offering Light
Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear (v. 12).
Of course, there will be those who ignore the truth and even fling it back at us, but there will also be some who will listen if we allow God to help us speak the truth in love (Eph. 4.15).
2 Corinthians 5.1-21:
Always the Goal
No matter what is going on in the world, in our families, or in our circumstances, our goal should be the same as Paul’s:
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
We need to fear God and have a desire to please Him, rather than trying to please man. “The fear of man (worrying about what people think of us) brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe” (Prov. 29.25, emphasis added).
What Do You Think?
Are you winning the battle when it comes to not complaining or, like me, does complaining fall out of your mouth all too easily? Are there some areas where you have allowed yourself to blend in with the world around you? Is there something you believe God wants you to do differently?
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we will talk about presumptuous sins, how delayed obedience = disobedience, discover the way to perfect peace, look at the nature of strongholds, and ask the all-important question, “Where will you spend eternity?”
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our YouTube channel.
If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback (the paperback has 31 days of blank journaling pages with prompts to help you get started).
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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