March 11, 2011

3-11-11 Friday, 7:00 am Springfield, 31 degrees, clear.

The sun is beautiful, rising in the east, shining on the houses out my back window. This weekend we spring ahead, and sunset will move later by an hour, to 7:18, and sunrise will be later, to 7:25. On Easter, Sunrise will be at 6:25 am, sunset at 7:56 pm. I am always interested in the times of sunrise and sunset, because they progress so steadily throughout the year, almost imperceptably, and the daily addition of a minute or two over several months adds up to hours of more daylight.

Isaiah 47

The defeat and impending shame of the virgin daughter of Babylon, who will be hauled out of luxury, her nakedness exposed, she will be put to manual labor grinding meal with the millstone. The prophet represents Babylon as a beautiful and arrogant woman, who trusted in herself, who “felt secure in your wickedness” (verse 10). Like all people who trust in themselves, she will be humiliated. Even though Babylon had captured many nations, including Judah, she was not the master of her own fate. She was part of God’s plan for redemption through Israel.

Every human, and every nation has the temptation of self-reliance, resulting in arrogance. The United States was built by men and women who accomplished amazing feats, and the best were hard working, self-sacrificing people who relied upon God, serving God and viewing life as a stewardship of the gifts of God. Guide me today, holy Lord as I seek to take the same approach, as I guard against any temptation to be self-reliant or arrogant. I desire to be merciful, meek, pure in heart and spiritually poor. Guide me in your Way, Holy Master and Captain of my soul.