PrayerBits for Monday

Scripture lesson: Isaiah 41:21-28 You want to tell God what to do?

Time to reflect: In the first part of this passage God is being sarcastic, challenging those who think they are so smart to come and instruct the creator of the universe.

Moving Through The Day: There is a difference between having a conversation with God and expressing our wishes and second-guessing God or complaining about how God is running things. Pray a prayer of confession for times when you have felt God was wrong.

"Present your case," says the LORD.
"Set forth your arguments," says Jacob's King.

"Bring in your idols to tell us
what is going to happen.
Tell us what the former things were,
so that we may consider them
and know their final outcome.
Or declare to us the things to come,

tell us what the future holds,
so we may know that you are gods.
Do something, whether good or bad,
so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear.

But you are less than nothing
and your works are utterly worthless;
he who chooses you is detestable.

"I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes—
one from the rising sun who calls on my name.
He treads on rulers as if they were mortar,
as if he were a potter treading the clay.

Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know,
or beforehand, so we could say, 'He was right'?
No one told of this,
no one foretold it,
no one heard any words from you.

I was the first to tell Zion, 'Look, here they are!'
I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good tidings.

I look but there is no one—
no one among them to give counsel,
no one to give answer when I ask them.