“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).

Woody was rude to the pastor seated next to him on the airplane. Together they were flying across country to a destination in California. The pastor was on his way to a conference where he would be the speaker. Woody was on his way to a convention mandated by his business. “Nope,” Woody said adamantly to the pastor. “I don’t believe in God, and I don’t believe He answers prayer. I prayed once and nothing happened. So I’ve given up on prayer, and I certainly have given up on God,” said the young business executive with a look of defiance on his face. “May I show you something?” the pastor asked. Slipping his pocket Bible out of his coat, he turned to Isaiah chapter fifty-nine and explained the problem to Woody. He went on to explain to him that his sin was like a blocked artery that prevented the answer from coming. Perhaps today you will face people just like Woody. You and I know the Answer to their problems. May we be faithful in sharing with them!

For today: Sin still separates sinners from our holy God.