Today's Verse: Isaiah 1:17

Friday, February 20, 2015

Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
— Isaiah 1:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We find it easy to be incensed when wrong is done to a friend. We are ready to fight injustice when someone we love has been wronged. However, God reminds us that our worship means little if we do not also protect those who are weak, marginalized, oppressed, and forgotten. It's not just our friends who need our help; it's also those who have no friends who need us. "To do right" doesn't just mean being a good person and avoiding evil in our sanctified little enclaves; it also means caring, comforting, and encouraging those no one else wants to notice.

My Prayer...

Forgive me, dear Father, for being selfish with your love and grace. I confess that I often find it easy to stay near those who are like me - who look like me, think like me, and dress like me. I know that many in the world around me do not have a friend, much less a defender. Open my eyes, dear Lord, to see those in my world that you would have me protect, encourage, and bless. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Isaiah 1:17
Devo: Today's Verse
"Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."
Do the Right Thing
Illustration of Isaiah 1:17
Inspirational illustration of Isaiah 1:17 -- Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
Isaiah 1:16-17
Devo: Today's Verse
"Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."
The Nones
Article by Rubel Shelly
Are you a none? Rubel Shelly reminds us that the group of those who claim none for religion is growing quickly in the U.S. and that they do so because they are are tired of the hypocrisy.

Illustration

Illustration of Isaiah 1:17 — Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, February 20, 2015

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Henry Ward Beecher:
"The little troubles and worries of life may be as stumbling blocks in our way, or we may make them stepping-stones to a nobler character and to Heaven. Troubles..."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Give Us Bread Every Day' (Jn. 6:33-34)
"[Jesus said,] "The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," [the people] said, "give us that....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Eyewitnesses' (1 Co. 15:5-10)
"Dear Father, God of real history, Thank you for the testimony of eyewitnesses who saw Christ alive after his crucifixion: Cephas, the twelve, more..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'True Treasure, Not Rust and Ruin' (Mt. 6:19-20)
"Don't store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse