Morning Devotional 122324 Hope for the Hopeless

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  December 23, 2024

Isaiah 61:1-3

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.

Good Morning! Jesus is the Good News!

Jesus brings the opportunity for new life: to be born again. God sent his son to turn the world upside down because right side up was not working. God’s chosen people had corrupted the perfection God created. 

Those in power were proud and boastful at the expense of everyone else. You were either rich and powerful, or you were grouped among the poor, brokenhearted, captives, prisoners,and mourners. For the least of these, there was no hope, no way out. 

Jesus came to humbly walk among the hopeless proclaiming the good news as he taught, healed, and tended to the needs of all. Through Christ, we can choose a new beginning.  

Almost two years ago, Rose Park UMC suffered from a devastating fire. When we walked into the building, everything was black. As I walked up the dark aisle toward the altar, I saw evidence that the hand of God was there with us. The Christ Candle was standing tall on the altar in the midst of the ashes and debris. 

Yesterday, we received a glimpse of a crown in place of ashes as we entered our sanctuary to sing Joy to the World and close our service. There is still work to be done, as with our world, but the light has returned to shine in the darkness. Praise God for bringing hope to the hopeless. 

Loving Lord, We are your children! Even in our darkest days, the light of Christ shines in the darkness to show us the way home. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Just as God does with us, give others a second chance. 

Beauty among the ashes! Pastor Liz