Scripture: Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 (NRSV)
DEVOTIONAL:
I look back on that perfect day in early fall, sunny and cool, flowers fading but still glorious, and I was in “the groove.” You know those days, where things come together and you know you are exactly where you’re supposed to be and doing what you’ve been made for. Things are good, I’m in sync in with people around me and the check offs on the “to do” list are flying as we build a vision together. It was the simplicity of that day that I so appreciated. I looked up as I walked across campus and thought “thank you God for this moment.” Because this moment was perfect and I know from experience that it would only last a moment. I realized this magnificent day was God’s gift to me and my acknowledgment of this day was my gift to God. We were in tune and it was good.
Not all days are like that. In fact, they are fewer than I would hope for. Today I shiver from the cold wind and see the pile of work still to be done and know that long days are ahead. But I also know spring will come and so will joy. So I hold fast to the memories of wonderful moments where I’m in the groove and I am in sync with God and know that these days strung together across a lifetime make for beautiful memories and a life well lived.
The words of Isaiah, “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me…he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,” sound like good news indeed!
Today, take some time out to find respite in the Word. Come back to the simplicity of his promises to comfort, to provide liberty and gladness, and rejoice!
Scripture: Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 (NRSV)
They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 8For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.