The Daily Word: Thursday, September 16th, 2021
Isaiah 22:1-24:23
Galatians 2:17-3:9
Psalm 60:1-12
Proverbs 23:15-16
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
So I will drive you out of your office, and from your position he will pull you down. – Isa. 22:19
Shebna was the royal steward who was “over the house” (v 15) of King Hezekiah. He was a trusted man of authority in the Kingdom of Judah! But he used his authority for personal gain. He selfishly used his position to carve out a place for himself (v 16), instead of using his God-given gifts to help God’s people.
Everything good in your life is a gift from God.[1] But with great authority comes great responsibility. Are you using what God has given you to bless His people? Are you freely giving away what you have freely received (Matt. 10:8)?
Shebna refused to give up his own selfish ambition. He refused to put his eyes back on God! So God replaced him, the same way He replaced King Saul with David. What a beautifully simple reminder Scripture gives us to 1) acknowledge God as the source of every blessing and 2) use what we have to bless others instead of blessing ourselves.
God has given you such amazing gifts. And it is your joy to turn and give them to others.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for blessing me! Thank You for every good thing that I have in my life. I know it is all a gift from You; and I am grateful. Help me to use what You have given me to help others, instead of just helping myself, in Jesus’ name.
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.
[1] “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” – Jas. 1:16-17