Mon.’s Devo - What Pleases God

Read: Isaiah 57:15-59:21; Philippians 1:1-26; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 24:9-10 God makes is very clear that he dwells with the lowly and humble and rejects the proud and lofty. God sent out a message to Israel to repent. Their acts of worship were just acts and he requires true worship from the heart. Worship and devotion to God should change their life-style. *** They quarreled and debated over spiritual matters and dogma while oppressing the poor. Instead, God wanted them to minister to the oppressed and meet their needs. When they do this, their light will shine and they will be restored. What they give will be returned to them. Some of them would repair cities that had been destroyed. *** God always made a big deal about the Sabbath because the Sabbath is a picture of rest we have been promised in our future. In that day, we won’t be doing our own pleasure, but the Lord’s. God, himself will be our delight. *** That was not the case in Isaiah’s day. Their sins had come between them and God. They lied and loved corruption and murder. All of their efforts to be productive will come to nothing. They were always destroying and never finding peace or righteousness. They didn’t even know how to live righteously because their hearts were filled with corruption and sin. They walked in darkness and turned their backs on the Lord and everything holy. *** God saw that there was no justice or advocate. He saw the oppression of the poor, so he promised to step in to save them. In his divine passion he will attack his enemies with fury. His victory will extend to the ends of the earth. His spirit would always be on his people. *** The church in Phillipi was started by Paul in his second missionary journey. Paul was closer to this church than any of his churches. He wrote this letter while he was imprisoned in Rome to thank them for their financial support. They had sent their gift by Epaphroditus and Paul was sending him back to them. Paul was grateful that the church in Philippi had been his partners in spreading the good news of the gospel. He also commended their tender compassion of Christ. Philippi was known as the city of brotherly love and it was the only church in Revelation that Jesus didn’t have a rebuke for. *** Paul prayed that they would grow in their love, knowledge and understanding. He wanted them to keep in mind what really matters that they could live pure and blameless lives and bring glory to Christ. *** Paul shares the opportunities he had had to share his faith with others because of his imprisonment. The palace guards knew he was there because of his faith in Christ. His chains had been used to encourage the church to have confidence in what they believe. Paul promises them he will forever be bold for Christ and give his life for the truth of the gospel. *** Lord, may we always be filled with the fruit of salvation and take pride in Christ. May we never be ashamed of the gospel, but willingly lay down our lives for Christ.