READING FOR MARCH 31, 2026: ISAIAH 45, ROMANS 14, PSALM 26:1-6 ISAIAH 45 This chapter elaborates on the prophecy introduced in the last chapter that the unbelieving Cyrus (vs. 4) will be God’s instrument in conquering many nations (vs. 1). This will happen so that Cyrus will know that God is the Lord and that Israel is His chosen people (vs.5). This fulfillment will also enable all the nations to know that there is no one besides the creator God. As mentioned in yesterday’s reading guide, this was exactly what happened 200 years later as recorded in Ezra 1:“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to rebuild for Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.’”
Once more God asserts He is going rectify problematic situations His way, which might be, but shouldn’t be, questioned by man—his creations (vs. 8-10). He uses the imagery of the clay (i.e., people) arguing with what the potter (i.e., God) had created. Paul later borrows this metaphor to make a similar point: “You foolish person, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?” (Rom. 9:20). In verse 13, this same sovereign and powerful God graciously gives His people the assurance that they will return from exile. For those who heeded this word of God, this no doubt was comforting them during their 70 years of exile. So it is when we read and head God’s word today.
As with all these loaded chapters, so much could be written, but the following testimony is powerful. A few years ago, this writer listened to a recording of a moving sermon written by Charles Spurgeon, the great British Baptist preacher of the 19th century. He explained how Isaiah 45:22 was used to lead Him to faith in Jesus. Below is an excerpt from that sermon:
“I had been wandering about, seeking rest, and finding none, till a plain, unlettered, lay preacher among the Primitive Methodists stood up in the pulpit, and gave out this passage as his text: ‘Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.’ He had not much to say, thank God, for that compelled him to keep on repeating his text, and there was nothing needed – by me, at any rate, – except his text. I remember how he said, ‘It is Christ that speaks. “I am in the garden in an agony, pouring out my soul unto death; I am on the tree, dying for sinners; look unto me! Look unto me!” That is all you have to do. A child can look. One who is almost an idiot can look. However weak, or however poor, a man may be, he can look; and if he looks, the promise is that he shall live.’ Then, stopping, he pointed to where I was sitting under the gallery, and he said, ‘That young man there looks very miserable.’ I expect I did, for that is how I felt. Then he said, ‘There is no hope for you, young man, or any chance of getting rid of your sin, but by looking to Jesus;’ and he shouted, as I think only a Primitive Methodist can, ‘Look! Look, young man! Look now!’ And I did look; and when they sang a hallelujah before they went home, in their own earnest way, I am sure I joined in it.”
READING FOR March 31, 2026 CONTINUED: ROMANS 14, PSALM 26:1-6 ROMANS 14 This chapter provides some essential advice for maintaining harmony among the church body. Don’t make a big deal about minor matters!The Greek word is “dialogismos.” Some versions translate this as disputable issues, opinions, or doubtful things. Paul’s lists two items not worth arguing about: eating certain kinds of foods and celebrating certain days. He said these things have no significance, so just go along with whatever causes the least amount of turmoil. Comparable items today might include church carry-ins, types of music used, color schemes in the sanctuary, or employing the liturgical calendar. These items are non-essentials that should not be criteria for judging each other. Yet they are often the very issues that cause dissension in the church and people to leave. The Lord must be grieved at our childishness.
This does not mean there are no issues with which to contend. Romans 1:18 says, "The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” The rest of Rom. 1 emphasizes the kind of sins that must be called out in the church. It would be unloving in the extreme not to address them. Essential doctrine must also be closely monitored. For example, the church must stand up against those who are either not preaching the Gospel or preaching a distorted version it: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:6-8).
PSALM 26:1-6 Although there is not a detailed description of David’s situation, we know David feels the need for divine vindication. Perhaps this happens to us when we feel our lives are not purposeful or when we have failed to achieve certain expectations. David proclaims his integ- rity but also invites God’s scrutiny. In the process, David describes his personal value system. The positive traits to which he points include these virtues: lives with integrity, trusts God, sets his mind on God’s love and kindness, honors truth, voices his thanksgiving to God, declares God’s wonders, and loves worshipping God. He also lists negative acts he avoids: hanging out with deceitful men, planning evil schemes, committing violence, and offering bribes.
Mixing with the “deceitful men” is an interesting issue. We know Jesus ate with those considered sinners (Matt. 9:11). Yet in 1 Cor. 15:33 Paul cautions, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” How does one reconcile these verses? Context helps. In Jesus’s case he was seeking to save the lost. Paul’s comments described a lifestyle unconcerned with eternal life, but only temporary, earthly pleasures. So, our intent makes all the difference.
C.S. Lewis has good insights on this: “I am inclined to think a Christian would be wise to avoid, where he decently can, any meeting with people who are bullies, or lascivious, cruel, dishonest, spiteful and so forth. Not because we are ‘too good’ for them. In a sense, we are not good enough. We are not good enough to cope with all the temptations, nor clever enough to cope with all the problems, which an evening spent in such society produces.”
Applying this principle to our time, might the kind of “bad company” we are keeping include the television shows we watch, the Facebook pages we view, the online links we click, or the YouTube videos we view?Every ad we see is designed to make us unhappy with our life.
