This is what the Lord says: “Maintain just, and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the one who does this-the person who holds it fast, and who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing evil.” Isaiah 56:1-2 NIV

We know right from wrong. Sometimes it is hard to do the right thing. Sometimes the easy way to do things is not the right way.

Why is it often easier to tell a lie than to tell the truth? We live in a world of shortcuts and we often try to take the easy way out.

As Christians, however, we are called to do things the right way. It may not be the convenient way, but it must be the right way. This includes treating people the right way, even if they are not treating us well, we are to treat them well.

We are to forgive others when we don’t feel like forgiving. We are to love the unloveable. God gave us many examples in the Bible of this. Jesus loved those who persecuted Him.

Blessed is the one who holds it fast. God knew that we would experience heartache and hard times. He knew that we would all go through hardships and situations that made us want to give up and give in. When we face these times, it is very tempting to give up on God. But, God calls us to hold fast.

We are called to keep the Sabbath holy. We live in a world today where Sunday has become just another day Stores are all open, businesses are in full swing. Often times we use Sunday to do everything but honor the Lord. We use Sunday to catch up on work or sleep and feel that we are justified in doing so. This is not what God’s word says. The Sabbath is a day of rest. I’ve often heard people say they have too much to do and they can’t afford not to work on Sunday. Well new flash, God created the entire universe in 6 days and even he rested on the Sabbath. Just sayin… Anyway, the Bible clearly tells us to keep this day holy.

WE are also instructed to keep our hands from doing evil. When we are wronged by someone, we often want to get revenge. These are the times when all kinds of evil schemes pop into our heads and we think of ways to teach that person a lesson. As Christians we are instructed in God’s word to avoid even the very appearance of evil.

The bottom line folks is that we are called to be different from this hard, cold world. We are called to be a beacon, a light shining in the darkness.

God promises that His salvation is close at hand. Don’t give in and don’t give up. We can endure suffering for the brief time we are on earth if we keep our eyes focused on what is above. An eternity in heaven with God our father.

So don’t grow weary of doing what is right. Go forth, have a great weekend, and don’t forget to focus on God and keep the Sabbath day holy!