Scripture Union Daily Guide 28 January 2024 Message
Read Scripture Union Daily Guide 28th January 2024 , Sunday SU Daily Guide Reading
TOPIC: Pride Goes Before A Fall
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, I request that you help me to encounter you as I meditate on your word.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: AMOS 6:1-14
1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
2 Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border?
3 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;
4 That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall;
5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;
6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
7 Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed.
8 The Lord God hath sworn by himself, saith the Lord the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.
9 And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die.
10 And a man’s uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the Lord.
11 For, behold, the Lord commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.
12 Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:
13 Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?
14 But, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, saith the Lord the God of hosts; and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hemath unto the river of the wilderness.
Question(s) for Reflection
• Q5: Is there any warning for me to heed?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 28 January 2024 – MESSAGE
The nation of Israel is so blinded by her pride that she can find no fault in herself. She claimed to be the first among nations (v.1) and boasted about her prosperity (v.2). By their lawlessness, they hastened the reign of terror (v.3); were indifferent to the plight of others (v.6b) but lived in luxury (vs.4-6a). However, just as they considered themselves the ‘first’ in everything, they will be among the first to go into exile (v.7).
What did God think of Israel? Again, their pride (v.8), their moral indifference in making justice the poison instead of the preservative of society (v.12), and their useless military pursuits which led them to abandon strength of character and instead boast of the strength of arms (v.13) incurred the wrath and judgment of God (vs.8b,9&14).
Note that the social defect of the rich lording it over the poor, and the religious defect of turning away from God, is also true in many places today. Think of the many ways “justice has been turned into poison and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness” in your community; and pray that God will use you and others to redress issues.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
HYMN: Wherefore should man, frail child of clay
1. Wherefore should man, frail child of clay,
Who, from the cradle to the shroud,
Lives but the insect of a day—
Oh why should mortal man be proud?
2. His brightest visions just appear,
Then vanish, and no more are found:
The stateliest pile his pride can rear,
A breath may level with the ground.
3. By doubts perplexed, in error lost,
With trembling step he seeks his way:
How vain, of wisdom’s gift the boast!
Of reason’s lamp, how faint the ray!
4. Follies and crimes, a countless sum,
Are crowded in life’s little span:
How ill, alas, does pride become
That erring, guilty creature, man!
5. God of my life! Father divine!
Give me a meek and lowly mind:
In modest worth oh let me shine,
And peace in humble virtue find.
Closing Prayer
Lord, give me the boldness to speak out for true justice in my community.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalms 69:30
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 28 – Genesis 46-47
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Sun Jan 28, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
THE NATIONAL VICE CHAIRMAN
He who called you is faithful, He also will do it.
1Thess 5:24
THANK GOD FOR:
• The life of SU National Vice – Chairman, Prof. Lanre Ipinmoroti
• The mercy of God upon his life and family
• His commitment to the work of SU
PRAY FOR:
• The grace of God to abound in him as the Holy Spirit continues to empower and strengthen him for the work
• Increase in his zeal to serve God more acceptably
• He will be distinguished more and more in his place of work
• Provision and protection of God over his life and family.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 28 January 2024 Devotional. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.
