THE LORD SPOKE (September 19)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Isaiah 1-2

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings.” (Is. 1:13)

It’s not too hard to picture that with hundreds of bleating sheep around, buckets of blood underfoot, and the pungent aroma of burnt flesh filling the air. How quickly did it move from the sacrifice of a lamb to the slaughter of a lot? As so often occurs, we think, “one is good - a bunch is gooder” and God cries out “Stop!”

I have had more than enough of burnt offerings....
I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats....
Stop bringing meaningless offerings! (Is. 1:11-12)

The point of the sacrifices (ordained by God!) was never merely to multiply the bloodshed. Man invariably goes for the wrong application and then overdoes it in his zeal. God says, “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins” (Heb. 9:22) so we get out the butcher knife and start slicing jugular veins. The more the merrier and soon the misplaced emphasis becomes a cover-up. In our frenzy we miss the main point - clearing up the sin problem in our relationship with God. It’s like we never miss a chance to miss a chance.

We’re still doing it today. Frantic last-minute preparation, a frenzy of “church stuff”, the flurry of spiritual activity and God-words. Where’s the substance? God says, “I’ve had enough” (Is. 1:11a), “I have no pleasure” in it (Is. 1:11b), “stop” (Is. 1:13a), “I cannot bear it” (Is. 1:13b), “I am weary” (Is. 1:14), “I will hide my eyes” (Is. 1:15a), and “I will not listen” (Is. 1:15b).

So what is the answer?

STOP! Stop the meaningless activity. Not, stop all activity - it was still necessary to shed blood for the remission of sins. But, slow down the squirrel cage a little. Cut out the ineffectual activity-for-activity’s-sake stuff.

LOOK! - Get your eyes back on the Lord. Get back to making the main point the main point! Fix your stare on Him. Like Peter, you’ll sink if you take your eyes off Him.

LISTEN! “Let us reason together...for the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Is. 1:18,20). Are you hearing His voice anymore? He wrote it down for you so you could always find your way back. Are you reading it long enough and deeply enough so you can hear Him?


Psalm 5-6

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice. In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. (Ps. 5:3)

Think about it for a minute: what do these people all have in common? Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Jesus.

Answer? They all “rose up early in the morning” on three or more occasions (recorded in Scripture) to meet with God. There are 14 others mentioned in the Bible who did it at least once. Next question: Are you detecting a pattern here? Do you think that you can do better than these people? Or, maybe would you say that their example might be a good thing to follow?

Why is it that getting up early in the morning is such a good way to meet with God?

1. You demonstrate the value you place on meeting with Him. You have to make some effort in order for it to work out. You probably have to set an alarm. Maybe you need to go to bed a little earlier the night before. The Bible calls it “vanity” to waste your sleep. “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves” (Ps. 127:2).
2. You give him the “first fruits” of your day. You give him your best time, when you’re fresh and before other thoughts and plans begin to crowd into your day. It’s clear that He’s not just an afterthought in your planning. “I love those who love me, and those who seek me early [the Hebrew word comes from shahar, “dawn”] will find me” (Prov. 8:17).
3. There are fewer distractions. One nice thing about getting up early in the morning is that you’ll probably be alone. Things are quieter. The phone’s not ringing. The TV and the radio are still off (or should be!). You’ll have some time before the noises of life begin to take over.
4. There’s a better chance that you’ll have Him with you for the rest of the day. It’s less likely that you’ll miss the trail if you get started right. “O God, you are my God, earnestly [there’s that word, “early” or “dawn” again] will I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Ps. 63:1).

So, would you like to be like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Jesus? Here’s a good way to get started.