Thanks for joining us on this journey of building a consistent habit of reading our Bibles every day. The Bible reading plan we are using this year can be found here: One Year Bible or here on the Bible app. As always, if you miss a day, don’t feel compelled to go back and catch up. Just skip it and start back on today’s date. I am reading the NLT this year, but feel free to use whatever version you prefer. Now here are some thoughts from today’s readings:
Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.
– Proverbs 3:32
Proverbs 3:32 tells us that God is friendly with the upright. This is very important to remember. We live in an age of grace. Unfortunately, the beauty of God’s grace is often abused. People think they can live however they want and it doesn’t really matter, because God will just forgive you, right?
Well, here we see it does matter what we do. When we sin, especially willfully and consistently, and especially without real repentance, then we aren’t able to reach the levels of intimacy that God wants to have with us. Sin can only separate us from God if we keep our sin from Him. But if we give it to Him, ‘He is faithful and just to forgive our sins’. And if we commit ourselves to holiness, we will find our relationship with God growing deeper because of it.
So, the question we ask ourselves shouldn’t be, “How much can I get way with?” We should be asking, “How close can I get to God and what needs to exit my life so I can get there?” This is not trying to work your way to God. Jesus has already done the work. This is letting God work His way through you.
What have you had to get out of your life to get closer to God?