What are the advantages of vines over other trees?
Why did God choose Israel? Is it because Israelis are superior to other races? Not at all. God, who just said "where there is, there is", chose them when he ordered them to stand. But because of this, they were proud of their glory, betrayed God and were judged by God. Similarly, what are our advantages as Christians? Is it because we are richer, kinder and more understanding than others? Do we realize that the wealth, kindness and wisdom we have are not our own, but all belong to God and come from God's grace to us? God's questioning of the Israelites also reminds us of our true nature and status.
Put on the righteousness of the Lord
Israelis used to be oppressed and despised by gangs around them, but God took pity on them, saved them from persecution and fed them himself. When the life of the Israeli people became more and more mature, God made a covenant with them and continued to lead and teach them, so that they could show their glorious image and be envied by other gangs. God once decorated Israel with gold and silver, dressed in fine linen and silk, dressed in embroidered clothes, and ate fine flour, honey and oil to describe their noble style. After believing in the Lord, maybe we find that our lives have changed, and we are more willing and able to do righteousness. However, we must understand that the righteousness we get does not come from ourselves, but from God's putting his gorgeous robe on our naked and shameful bodies, and the Lord Jesus put his robe on us. At the same time, we should also thank God for his kindness to us.
Psalm 122
Psalm 122 is a pilgrimage poem. The poet is glad that he will meet God in the temple in Jerusalem. Now, because of Christ's self-sacrifice and resurrection for death, he has become a mediator between us and God, so that we can meet God anytime and anywhere. But will we still have the expectation, joy and desire of ancient pilgrims because of the rare opportunity? Please don't let us lose our initial love. Thank god!
Touching scripture:
In this way, you will have gold and silver ornaments and wear fine linen, silk and embroidered clothes; I ate western food, honey and oil. You are also extremely beautiful because of the glory I have put on you. This is what the Lord GOD says. (Junction 16: 13)
People said to me, "Let's go to the house of the Lord." I am very happy. (Psalm 122: 1)