Isaiah 5:20-21 God is the righteous judge

Scripture warns us about those without moral character. God judges those who are arrogant and proud of their sins. 

Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Jesus always cared for the marginalized of the society that he lived in. The poor, the immigrant, the orphans and women He valued in a society that said otherwise.

Isaiah 5:20-21

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; 

Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; 

Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 

21  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, 

And prudent in their own sight! 

22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, 

Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, 

23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe, 

And take away justice from the righteous man!

The New King James Version

Those who pervert God’s evaluation of what is good by calling evil good are heading down a dangerous path—one that leads to judgment. 

At the root of the moral, social, and theological corruption denounced in this prophecy is being wise in one’s own eyes—an insensitive, arrogant egotism.

The perversion of justice by bribery is a serious evil that undermines society. The NKJV Study Bible

Relying on our own wisdom leads to a distorted view of the world and a skewed perspective on right and wrong. The imagery contrasts what heroes and valiant men should be with what they actually are—not able leaders.  Faithlife Study Bible

The fruit of these judgments shall be, that God will be glorified as a God of power. Also, as a God that is holy; he shall be owned and declared to be so, in the righteous punishment of proud men. Those are in a woful condition who set up sin, and who exert themselves to gratify their base lusts. They are daring in sin, and walk after their own lusts; it is in scorn that they call God the Holy One of Israel. They confound and overthrow distinctions between good and evil. They prefer their own reasonings to Divine revelations; their own devices to the counsels and commands of God. They deem it prudent and politic to continue profitable sins, and to neglect self-denying duties. Also, how light soever men make of drunkenness, it is a sin which lays open to the wrath and curse of God. Their judges perverted justice. Every sin needs some other to conceal it. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Lamentations 3:33 (ESV) "for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men."

God is filled with compassion and love.

God sent His Son, Jesus, through the line of David to save His people. Jesus put on flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Out of God's great compassion, He made a way for us to come near to Him. "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:6-8).

For all who trust in Him, Jesus has saved us from the penalty of sin, which is eternal death. He is saving us from the power of sin by enabling us to resist temptation. One day He will save us from the presence of sin by taking us to heaven. Until then, we can submit ourselves fully to God's loving discipline, knowing He can use even the pain in our lives to bring us closer to Him. First5

When we buy any label, or any script, we forget our song. We forget that music (the gift of grace) unlocks the heart, and we are restored (take a step) to our self.

I cannot tell you your song. But I can tell you this: you have one.

 
Count on it. And if you sit still, you may hear it.

It is the song that reminds us we are beautiful, when we feel ugly.
It is the song that tells us we are whole, when we feel broken.
It is the song that gives us the power to dance, even when we feel shattered.
It is the song that allows us to take a step when we feel stuck, or shut down.

Sabbath Moments 

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NKJV). If God is for you, shouldn’t you be for you? So how do you begin to see yourself as God does?

First, remember that your words matter. You are either your worst critic or greatest cheerleader.

Hold fast to the promise of scripture. The apostle Paul models this for us. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37 NIV).

Personalize Romans 8:38-39. “For I am convinced that neither poor health, neither college debt nor pink slips, neither today’s deadline or tomorrow’s diagnosis, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Be for you – God is. Max Lucado

Proverbs 3:7 

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

1 Corinthians 3:18–20 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”…

Amos 5:7 

You who turn justice to wormwood,

And lay righteousness to rest in the earth!”