5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
TODAY’S BIBLE READING:
Zechariah 6:1–7:14
Revelation 15:1-8
Psalm 143:1-12
Proverbs 30:24-28
TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):
Psalm 143:2 (CSB): “Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous in your sight.”
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):
On its face, our Verse for Today sounds utterly hopeless. If we reflected deeply upon its truth, we would feel the emotion of fear.
Psalm 143:2 (CSB): “Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous in your sight.”
All to often, we fail to realize our guilt before God. Have you ever lied? Of course, you have and it only takes one lie to be a liar. Almost certainly, you have been guilty of jealousy and envy, lust, anger, pride, dishonoring your parents, failing to love your enemies, and so much more. We really are guilty before God!
This poses a huge problem, doesn’t it?
God’s holiness says: “I am completely sinless and you are guilty. So, first of all, you cannot come near Me. Further, My holiness demands that I cannot be indifferent to your sin so I must punish you.”
God’s love says: “I made you for a relationship with Me. I want you to be with Me so that I can enjoy you and you can enjoy Me.”
How does God’s holiness and love get reconciled? Through the cross of Jesus!
If you want to look at how serious sin is and how a holy God is angry at sin, look at the cross. But, if you also want to know how much God loves you and how far He is willing to go to bring you into relationship with Him, look at the cross.
Because of the cross of Jesus, all of those who trust in Jesus (and not themselves) to pay their sin debt are forgiven and declared completely righteous. So, we never have to worry about being condemned by God because Jesus paid our sin debt. Even though we have sinned (and will continue to struggle with sin), we realize that Jesus paid our sin debt and we are completely forgiven.
If you have never received the gift of forgiveness, why not do that today? Stop trusting in yourself and your supposed good behavior to get you to Heaven. Instead, look to Jesus and trust in Him to make you right in God’s eyes. In that moment, the hopelessness of our Verse for Today loses its sting. Because our hope is now in Jesus!
If you have any questions about how you can be forgiven and enter into a relationship with Jesus, please feel free to contact me. I would be glad to help you begin this journey.
My e-mail is mattellis1997@gmail.com.
Matt’s Musings 