While I do not have a key verse that jumped out at me from today’s reading, there was a message that resonated with me. God will ultimately punish the wicked when the time is right and when it fits within His purpose and will. On the other side, the obedient will ultimately be rewarded, but probably not in this lifetime. If that we’re the case, the righteous would all be rich and disease free. God wants obedience from His children and for us to have faith that our reward belongs in eternity and not necessarily in this lifetime. We are to trust that God is in control through all circumstances and will act to fulfill His perfect plan for His glory and honor. This is not selfishness on His part, it is His right. To think differently is arrogance on our part.

Verses 20 and 21 of today’s reading are astonishing to me, 20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood–idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. Even after all the suffering they experience around them they still do not repent of their sins. How often am I like this with God? Maybe not to the same extent, but I see suffering all around me and yet I still find ways to go my own way and disobey God. I must constantly remind myself that God is the only one I need to listen to and obey no matter what the distractions are around me.