Last week, Isaiah 58 was my scripture reading in the morning. A great one to start the day, and a stretching one for the Christmas season. I love the if/then statements in the scripture. The ones where God tells us what he expects of us, and then tells us what to expect from Him in our obedience. How wonderful that He would even give us a glimpse of the blessing to follow knowing that obedience is it's own blessing. As we are walking through this season, our family has focused more on those around us than usual. There are so many worthy projects to help and take part in. It's actually really difficult to decide which ones to do. I wish we could do them all. I wish I had the resources to fix it all, I especially wish I could sit down with everyone in spiritual need and tell them about my great and mighty King Jesus. To tell His Story. The show of His hand of redemptive work among His people throughout all of time. That the story of the baby is not the beginning of the story, and not even close to being the end! That after generations of groaning under the weight of sin, of trying to atone for that sin through sacrifices, of always feeling the need to do more, and after 400 years of silence from God (shudder) THEN the baby came. Just as they said He would. Lowly and small. Meek and Mild so that the glory could only be given to God. A baby, born a King. A Man King on a donkey. And a Just King who will return on a mighty steed, a sword in His hand. That the bowing down to Him will be done- either now or then- and so much better for the now! So much peace and joy. Abundant life. Love and freedom. Now and forever more. Isaiah 58, taking care of the physical needs of those around us. Pouring ourselves out for them. Becoming a light as bright as noonday. A watered garden. And His love can not be hidden in that light and that abundance. We have our chance to give a reason for the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15) Imagine- blessing others brings about a glorious blessing for ourselves. It goes around in circles. And comes around. And He is our peace.
6"Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
11And the LORD will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.
12And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to dwell in.
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