Today's thought is simple yet profoundly complex, straightforward yet astoundingly deep...tell me this isn't cool--and challenging. Read it slowly, let it roll around in your mind, let it wash across your heart, and hear it like it's the first time (and thanks Art for the idea)...
"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on that which is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live...
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
hear me, that your soul may live...
Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:1-9
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8
Do justly...hmmm...and love mercy...not always easy...and walk humbly with your God...wow. That's what is good; not some esoteric list of "dos" and "don'ts"--just simple instructions: do the just thing, the right thing, every time, without exception...love mercy--which almost by definition is extended to those who don't deserve it...and walk humbly with your God: dethrone the tyrant Self and yield to the gracious and legitimate Lord of my life...
Yeah: I'd say Isaiah quoted the Lord accurately--though He might have understated it a bit--when He said
"My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
And yet, this, this is what He yearns for me to aspire to, and for you as well...this is part of "the most excellent way"...
He has shown you, O man, what is good...
Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live...
You've been prayed for today.
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