Morning Prayer
Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
Inspiration
God showed great forbearance toward Israel in warning them again and again, sending his prophets among them, and testifying of to them of their sins. Yet, Israel still rebelled and went into captivity. But (verse 31) God did not utterly destroy them, but out of mercy spared a remnant and brought them back to their land 70 years later.
Prayer
You are a God of mercy, O Lord, but also a God who will punish iniquity. You pour out your wrath and justice on the lost and discipline your children when they go astray. To the lost, you are a Judge before whom they stand condemned; to us, you are a loving Father who corrects us when we stray or a watchful Shepherd whose rod and staff guides us and comforts us (Psalm 23). Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
