Today’s scripture: Isaiah 59:1-20 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
Did the title get your attention? Today’s passage was a reminder to me that a consequence of sin, or the bad things I do, is that I push God away. It is not God keeping distance from me; it is the other way around.
When I was young and living in Clinton Maryland, I was the typical kid. I was a little “nerdier” than most. I loved school, especially math and science, and no one ever had to tell me to do my homework or study. I did it automatically. Okay, so maybe I was not so ordinary, but I could have been classified as a nerd.
We lived in Chris Mar Estates. This was an oxymoron. These were not estates. The older part of Chris Mar had some pretty neat mid century modern homes. We lived in the back with the cookie cutter homes, stacked up next to each other. It was a modest house. But it was right up against the woods in front of the gravel pits. This was a large expansive area with dirt roads, woods, lots of room to play and get lost, and of course, it was dangerous because it was the gravel pits. There were wild strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry bushes we would pick by the gallons out there that grew wild. Seems like another time. I guess it was! (1970’s).
My parents were very strict about where we went in the gravel pit area. We were told to stay away from where they were operating machinery and where they were mining the stone. But the temptation was always so great!
I liked wandering off alone, and just being by myself. One day, I found myself back in the pits where they were mining, but it was a weekend and no one was working. I convinced myself that I was not going against my parents by entering the areas where they were mining because no one was there and the equipment was shut down.
As I was walking along one of the large ponds back there, all of a sudden, my foot went into some mud, and I could not get it out. Then, as I was trying to get it out, my other foot took a step in the same mud, and I was stuck. I was not only stuck, but I was sinking. And I was all by myself, probably about a mile or more away from the house, or civilization. One could say that I felt like I was in a state of panic. I saw quick sand scenes in cartoons, so I never imagined it was real. But it was! And there I was thinking…“If I had listened to my parents, I would not be in this predicament.”
How many times do we do what we ought not do, and we end up separating ourselves from others and God? Like it says in verse 2 of today’s scripture, “your iniquities have been barriers between you and your God.” I felt separated and alone as I was sinking, thinking, “This is it? I will never seem parents again.”
But then I heard a voice. It was my brother, not knowing what had happened, just looking to see where I was. When he found me, he had to go back and get my parents. Ugh! They were just happy I was safe. I got a scolding whenI got home, and I said I was sorry. I soon realized they were happy I was alive and safely home. That’s how it is with God when we return home.
Isn’t that what happens to us? When we do things that are not God’s way of doing or being, we sin and separate ourselves. But God is always calling us back home, and welcomes us with open arms.
Thought for the day: What am I doing to cause separation between me and God?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.