|
Friday, December 23, 2022
Read: Isaiah 52:7-10 The Joy of Hope In our advent scriptures today, the people of Zion received the good news that they would be relieved and delivered from their enslavement and oppression under the Assyrians and Egyptians. Deliverance had come and the assured salvation by our holy and exalted God brought comfort to the people. The Message translation states “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger bringing good news. Breaking the news that all’s well, proclaiming good times, announcing salvation, telling Zion, your God reigns! (Isaiah 52:7-9) The verses today echo the way of preparation and celebration at the first arrival of Jesus and that which we yearn for in patient anticipation, his awaited return. Today, we could use some good news. We are surrounded it seems on every side with wars, gun violence, earthquakes, hurricanes, sudden tragedies, struggling communities, disease, and broken relationships. And yet, in the year of our Lord 2022 and into the next, we still have a reason to shout. God is still able to comfort us and because we know that God is holy and sovereign we can shout for the joy of hope. Isaiah 52:9-10 declares, “Break forth; shout together for joy, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” We can choose to see the good around us and we can ask God who remains steadfast to show us how the Lord’s works are faithful, they are yes and amen! (II Corinthians 1:20) So, each day we can be reminded of the joy in the hope of Jesus, who Is, and Is to Come. Lord, we give you thanks for your deliverance and salvation. Prepare our hearts and our minds to see your truth, so that we will know the hope that you have chosen us to have. So that we will know that the blessings you have promised your holy people are rich and glorious. May we know in our hearts that your power is very great for us who believe. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen. (prayer adapted from Ephesians 1:18-19) Marci Matthews Comments are closed.
|
2022
|