But There's Good News!

Daily Reading: Isaiah 24

Scripture Focus: A curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer. (Isaiah 24.6)

Devotional Thought: "Grayson, No!" I shouted at my grandson.  We had gone out of the restaurant to run and stretch our legs while his cousins finished up lunch.  I had told him to stay with me, but his 3-year-old adventurous spirit had run ahead of his 60-year-old "Pahpooh."  When he didn't turn back, and I saw him headed to the parking lot, then I had to raise my voice.  We both suffered hurt feelings and broken hearts.  Plus, we missed the after-lunch treat!

Sometimes, our decisions bring about suffering, don't they?  Isaiah prophesied how the earth would suffer.  He said a curse would devour the earth because of the guilt of its inhabitants.  God had spoken of that curse in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned: "Because you have ... eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life" (Genesis 3.17).  The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8.22: "The whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now."

Sin has brought the curse of suffering to this world.

But there is good news!  Jesus Christ has suffered for us - the righteous for the unrighteous.  And, his suffering has cancelled the curse of sin, both on individual people and on creation.

Back to Grayson... I felt bad that I had not held onto his hand outside.  I made a bad decision.  Because of that, we both suffered.  But the good news?  Because of the suffering, neither one of us was seriously hurt.  And, Grayson and I had our own treat later!

Prayer: Lord, I see the effects of sin all around me.  All creation is indeed groaning under the weight of it.  Thank you, Jesus, that you have redeemed us from the curse of sin and are preparing a new heaven and a new earth where the righteous will dwell forever.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 55.16-23

16 But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.

17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

18 He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.

19 God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God.

20 My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant.

21 His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.