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Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
When we think about God’s being our judge, we normally think of falling into judgment. Isaiah reminds us that God’s being our judge means that he will be there to judge us based on his will, his rule, and his grace. He is on our side and is looking to save, not condemn. Using the New Testament idiom, when we stand before our Judge we see instead our Father.
My Prayer…
Holy and Righteous Judge, I am glad that my fate, my future, and my life is in your hands. I know about your love for me because of the gift of Jesus. I know about your desire to save me because of your loving grace. I know your demand for holiness is met by the sacrifice of your Son. So God, I gladly and willingly trust my life, my soul, and my eternal future to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Bible References
22 For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us.
These verses in Proverbs remind us to pay close attention to our actions each day. Do we show love and faithfulness to God and others that He places in our life? Are we being accurate examples of Christ to all we interact with? My favorite verses on this subject are found in Ephesians:
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Just as we represent our earthy parents in this life, after we become born again through faith in the blood of Christ, we now represent Him to all we come into contact with. Every single Christian is a testimony, the question is what kind of testimony are we?! When the world observes us do they see Christ in our actions, and hear Christ in our words?
Paul actually started his exhortation in chapter 4 verse 32 where he is telling the church at Ephesus to be kind and compassionate to one another and forgiving, as Christ forgave us. Then launches into our verses here, “Be imitators of God.” We have a responsibility before God to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the dignity we have through Christ of being God’s “dearly loved children.” When the unsaved look at us they should notice that we are loving, kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving with each other. Why, because that is what Christ exemplifies!
We have the indwelling Holy Spirit which enables us to be all those things that God wants us to be. When we study God’s Word, and spend time with Him in prayer, it will be obvious to those around us that we have been with our Lord and Savior! When we apply to our lives that which He teaches us, we are living out our faith, instead of just “talking” about our faith. The personal relationship we have with Christ, cannot help but be evident in every aspect of our life.
Christ is our perfect Example. His reason for coming to this earth to redeem us to God was love, the proof of His love for us was Him sacrificing Himself on the cross for our sins. His gift is described as an offering to God. Jesus obeyed God, and this was a fragrant offering to Father God. The Lord Jesus pleased His Father by giving Himself for others. The moral is we too can bring joy to God by giving ourselves for others. By taking the time to put their needs ahead of our own, by helping out when the Lord calls us to do so. By simply obeying God!
Heavenly Father, help me to be sensitive to those in my world which I can show love, kindness, and forgiveness to each day. Help me to live out my faith in You so that others may want to have you for their Savior as well. I love You so and thank You for sending Jesus to pay my sin debt and forgive me through His blood sacrifice, Amen!