“I AM THE LORD … WHO LEADS YOU” Christadelphian thoughts based on the daily readings for 23rd June 2016
We have 4 chapters to inspire and challenge us today. In 1 Samuel ch. 2 we have Hannah’s inspiring song of thankfulness after the birth of Samuel: it is an inspiration for all of us who are thankful for the way the LORD is leading us today in our godless world. Sadly, it is to have a negative application to the godless sons of Eli.
Hannah’s inspired words should put us in a mood of heartfelt awe “for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed” for ” “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones …”
[v.3, 9]
But these words are immediately followed by “but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness … The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth”
[v.10]
The ultimate fulfilment of the LORD’s judgements is surely near: may we be among “his faithful ones.”
Verses in our reading of Isaiah ch. 48 have parallel thoughts, it starts, “Hear this … (you) who swear by the name of the LORD and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right..”
[v.1]
A divine warning that has echoed ominously down through the centuries, constant failures by so many who claim to believe in God to recognise it is “the LORD … who leads…” them!
Verse 17 has words from our Creator that we need to particularly highlight for ourselves. “”I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.” God’s people in those days were paying little attention – is it any better among those who claim to believe today? Look at the divine lament in the next verse! “Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river …”
Our world is such, despite God’s word being available in every language so ‘seekers’ can recognise it is “the LORD … who leads” them: but his leading is only for those who pay attention to his word every day and put into practise what they read.
The chapter ends with the declaration, “There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”
This world will soon face its’ divinely appointed destiny and how awesome is the vision of this at the end of our 6th chapter in Revelation! We note its declaration – and its question! ” … the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” The answer is – those who have responded to the divine declaration “I am the LORD … who leads you.” Let us make sure we are among those who “stand” and who the LORD leads.
By Bro D.Caudery
