Julie
Today's reading also has a lot going on that is important...
They are talking about the eye being the lamp to the body. If it's healthy and we have our sights set on God then our inner life will be good, our soul will be good, but if we are unhealthy and have looked away we will be going in an immoral direction.
We should not be anxious about worldy things and know that God will provide whatever we need. I have learned this lesson in spades in the last 9 months and it has been a humbling experience.
Do not judge others...I don't think we need to say more than that. It's up to God to place judgement not us imperfect people.
Ask and God will provide. However, we need to remember that he will not provide things he does not think that we need.
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Be weary of false prophets. I think that this is one of the harder ones just because you don't always know who is false and who is not.
The Lord has chosen Zion and the line of David will live on there...I believe that is what they are saying.
Michelle
Ok, I think I will go through each one as there is alot, like you said.
Fasting, when you do this, it says not to look somber, but instead put yourself together so it is not obvious. This seems like a vanity or pitying type of behavior he is warning us not to do. Which makes sense. It is another in secret behavior God wants you to observe. I like what you said about the eyes to the body. It also talks about not being able to serve 2 masters and that we must choose, God or money, or whatever else is drawing us from him. That whole not worrying thing is a big challenge for me, but it continues to get better. It's hard not to worry about what we need here on earth, but we must remember, as you said that God will give what we need, not always what we want. We are not to judge others and wording it differently doesn't change what we are doing. Look inward first as we are not perfect either. Ask, seek, and knock are all powerful instructions. That final verse in this passage reminds us to do unto others as we would want them done to us. I think this really is about treating people well, with kindness and respect. Even when they do not reciprocate. Narrow is the road that leads to life, very few find it. Be wary and mindful of false prophets. I think you are right that we struggle to know who are the ones sent by God. We are to do the will of God in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. When Jesus talks about the builders and those that are wise and foolish, the crowds were amazed. Again, I think he was speaking in ways they would better understand what God wanted, as for too long, the supposed priests and prophets were corrupting God's instruction.
The end of this psalm almost seems to be referencing the crucifixion. I am not sure why that came to mind but it's the last couple of verses that made me think that.
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