December 15

A voice says, “Cry out.”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
    Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of our God endures forever.”

You who bring good news to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
    and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.

The prophet Isaiah was God’s man throughout the reign of four kings. In a vision, he saw God and was never the same again. When God asked, “Whom shall I send and who will go for me?” Isaiah answered ” Here I am, send me.” 

Commissioned by God, he preached judgement with fury and passion.

But God’s people, more than 500 years B.C., were exhausted, discouraged, with little strength left during their Babylonian exile. They wondered if God had forgotten them. The end to their struggle was no where in sight. They longed for hope. They needed consolation. Sound familiar? If you and your family are well and safe from the corona virus, count yourself fortunate. There are those reeling from death, sickness, unemployment and lives upended, longing for hope.

By chapter 40 of the Book of Isaiah, the words of the prophet spoke of hope. “Comfort my people…speak tenderly to Jerusalem.” Isaiah said this, “Go up on a high mountain, you have good news to tell….shout it out and don’t be afraid…

The Lord God is coming with power to rule over all people.” With these words, God promised, through Isaiah’s prophecy, the coming of a Savior. That promise was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ years later.

Isaiah’s words spoke of such hope that many musicians have set them to music. Most notable is George Frederick Handel’s Messiah. At it’s first performance it brought a King to his feet and since that time it  has become tradition to stand when we hear, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords, forever and ever, Hallelujah!   Find it on You Tube and listen.
 
In times of adversity and trouble I am comforted by Isaiah 40:11 which says, “He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” He is our shepherd and we are the sheep so closely held to His heart.  I encourage you to go to your computer, type in the name Barbara Bonney “He Shall Feed His Flock.” Listen to her sing so beautifully this aria from  Messiah. 
 
Isaiah speaks today as he did so very long ago, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will live forever.” Isaiah 40:8   Thanks be to God!

Devotion by Peggy Buckner

 


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