March 4 2006

Is 58:9b-14

Thus says the LORD:
If you remove from your midst oppression,
false accusation and malicious speech;
If you bestow your bread on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted;
Then light shall rise for you in the darkness,
and the gloom shall become for you like midday;
Then the LORD will guide you always
and give you plenty even on the parched land.
He will renew your strength,
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring whose water never fails.
The ancient ruins shall be rebuilt for your sake,
and the foundations from ages past you shall raise up;
“Repairer of the breach,” they shall call you,
“Restorer of ruined homesteads.”

If you hold back your foot on the sabbath
from following your own pursuits on my holy day;
If you call the sabbath a delight,
and the LORD’s holy day honorable;
If you honor it by not following your ways,
seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice—
Then you shall delight in the LORD,
and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;
I will nourish you with the heritage of Jacob, your father,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

"If you remove from your midst oppression,
false accusation and malicious speech;"... It seems very simple, do not speak poorly of or to anyone and do not be unkind to anyone. It is not the understanding of the Scriptures here that is difficult but the living out of the wisdom revealed. It is such a human tendency to want to talk about others and yet the only thing that I really know is my own individual information and view all else is not the true source of information and knowing. I love the simplicity of the teaching here. I believe that it does not have to be complicated to understand the ways to please God it is truly a natural an simple way that requires only an open and clean heart steadfast in the Lord. I pray this Lent and especially today for God to create a clean and steadfast heart in me. The ways of God are mighty and glorious and to be praised