Today's Verse: Isaiah 1:17

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

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.

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, February 20, 2007

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'More Than Bread' (Lk. 4:3-4)
"[While Jesus was fasting in the wilderness,] the devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread." But....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Surround Yourself with the Word of God'
"And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Living in Love' (Ro. 12:9-15)
"Dear Father, empowering God, Let my love be genuine for everyone in heaven and on earth. Help me hate what is evil at all times and everywhere. Help...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'One!' (Ep. 4:4-6)
"For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and....."

Illustration

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

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