Passage Read: Isaiah 51-54
Meditation Verse: 54:17
Thought
Today there are weapons formed against those who faithfully seek and serve the Lord. Those weapons may kill us, but they and those who wield them will not last. They may gain power for a time, but they will be forever overthrown. Those who are cut off by them, on the other hand, will rise again to rule the earth forever. Today there are those who accuse and condemn those who walk in the ways of the Lord and call people to repent and follow Him, and they intimidate the faithful. The faithful have no one to defend them or to stand with them, but still they must keep doing what the Lord has instructed. But the day is coming when those who trusted in the Lord will stand in the court of the Lord and condemn those who accuse them. The Lord will stand with them and embolden them. The faithful will be vindicated by the Lord.
Application
Today the wicked have power to get away with all manner of oppression against the righteous. But I must not give way to fear and be silenced, though it cost my life or livelihood or all my possessions. The lost can bring incredible pressure to back away from the standards and ways of the Lord, or just to keep to myself and not rock the boat. I naturally prefer just to be nice and get along, rather than to stir up or inflame controversy. Why am I afraid? Though others accuse and condemn me, though they attack and kill me, I will be vindicated by God, if I truly walk in His ways and do His will.