Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 27, 2022
Read Isaiah 61:1-6
1 The LORD God’s spirit is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release for captives, and liberation for prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and a day of vindication for our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 to provide for Zion’s mourners, to give them a crown in place of ashes, oil of joy in place of mourning, a mantle of praise in place of discouragement. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, planted by the LORD to glorify himself. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore formerly deserted places; they will renew ruined cities, places deserted in generations past. 5 Foreigners will stay and shepherd your sheep, and strangers will be your farmers and vinedressers. 6 You will be called The Priests of the LORD; Ministers of Our God, they will say about you. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and fatten yourself on their riches.
Good morning! Rejoice in the Lord Always!
Yesterday marked the passing of my sweet mother-in-law, Joyce. After 100 years and 9 months of life, Jesus called her home. Of course, I am saddened by her passing, but I know that she is rejoicing as she joins her family that has gone before her. She was truly a remarkable woman of strong faith and a great example for the many descendents whom she influenced. We will miss your smile and quick wit, but one day we'll be united and feast together at the Lord’s heavenly banquet table. As our family gathers to celebrate the life of Joyce, may our tears be warmed by the beautiful memories we share together.
Isaiah was a prophet of the Lord and filled with the Spirit of God. Isaiah is preparing the Israelites for the arrival of Jesus through his prophecies proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. Beginning with the second sentence, put Jesus in place of me. “He sent Jesus to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release for captives, . . . to comfort all who mourn. ”These words should sound very familiar as they are part of our liturgy for Holy Communion.
Then beginning in verse 3, we read of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection through which a roughly hewn cross is transformed into a symbol of our salvation with the revelation of a crown in place of ashes, oil of joy in place of mourning, and a mantle of praise in place of discouragement. Isaiah’s words are the seeds for the future of God’s children.
I like the reference to being called the Oaks of Righteousness. I see oaks as strong trees standing strong in all adversity. The branches wave and bend when the strong winds come, but do not break. Over time the oak trees grow tall and put out roots that reach far beyond the base of the tree. As God’s children, we are called to stand firm in our faith and spread the Good News to the ends of the earth. Even in our bleakest times, God will give us the strength to not break as we are pushed and battered by the forces of evil.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. When we are weak, You make us strong. When we are poor, You make us rich! Thank You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God can bring beauty from the bleakest situation.
Out of the ashes comes a new day! Pastor Liz
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