“As it is written: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed.’” Romans 9:33
Summarizing the witness of Isaiah 8:14-15; 28:16; and Psalm 118:22, the Apostle Paul points out that Jesus Christ is a precious stone, the very cornerstone of God’s temple, since He is our high priest and the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world, and there is salvation in no other. Many stumble over Him in unbelief and fall from the faith, but those who trust in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior shall never be put to shame for, in Him and His cross, they have forgiveness for all their sins and life everlasting.
O gracious God, grant that I not stumble over Jesus and His cross but trust in Him as the Son of God and my crucified and risen Savior. Amen.
“A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.” Proverbs 12:23
Those who have wisdom and knowledge don’t show it off but remain humble, looking to God and His Word for correction and guidance. Those who are foolish openly proclaim their foolish thoughts and ideas for all to hear. Another proverb, not found in the Bible, says it like this: “People are like wheat. When the head is full, it bows down and hangs low; when the head is empty, it stands tall and waves around in the wind for all to see.”
O God of wisdom and all knowledge, grant that I humble myself before You and hear Your Word. Keep me from the way of fools. Amen.
“You have planted them; indeed, they have taken root; they grow; indeed, they bring forth fruit. You are near in their mouth, but far from their mind.” Jeremiah 12:2
The prophet speaks of the wicked prospering in the land before God’s judgment fell upon them. God gave them life and blessings. Yet, though they confessed God’s name with their mouths, their minds — their inward and true desires and passions — were far from the LORD. And how true this is today! People speak God’s name and call themselves Christians, but their hearts are far from the LORD and His Word.
Forgive me, O Lord, for taking Your name on my lips when my heart is far from You. Grant me true repentance and faith in Your mercy for the sake of Your Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them. For I will not hear them in the time that they cry to Me because of their trouble.” Jeremiah 11:14
Is there a time when we are to quit praying for people? Though we pray that all repent of their sins and look to Christ and His cross for pardon and forgiveness, there is a time when we cease praying that the impenitent and unbelieving would be spared from God’s judgments upon their sins. If they refuse to hear the warnings of God’s Word and repent, we must finally turn them over to God’s righteous judgment and trust that God will deal with them according to His wisdom.
Grant that we not reject Your Word, O LORD, but repent of our wicked and sinful ways and look to You for mercy in Christ Jesus. In His name, we pray. Amen.
“Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.” Psalm 86:11
Prior to the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, each of our hearts was united in the service of sin — we sought to go in our own selfish and sinful ways. Having been brought to faith in Christ, we now have a new nature that loves God and desires to walk in accord with the truth of His Word. However, in this life, we still have our old and corrupt sinful natures. With the psalmist, we pray that God would unite our divided hearts to honor the name of our God and Savior in all we think, say, and do.
Unite my heart, O God, to love You, trust in You, and honor You in all I think and do. I ask this for the sake of Jesus, my Savior. Amen.
