A better day

Norah Summers January 27, 2018 0 0

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Isaiah 61: 1-8

1 The Sovereign Lord has filled me with his Spirit.
He has chosen me and sent me
To bring good news to the poor,
To heal the broken-hearted,
To announce release to captives
And freedom to those in prison.
2 He has sent me to proclaim
That the time has come
When the Lord will save his people
And defeat their enemies.
He has sent me to comfort all who mourn,
3 To give to those who mourn in Zion
Joy and gladness instead of grief,
A song of praise instead of sorrow.
They will be like trees
That the Lord himself has planted.
They will all do what is right,
And God will be praised for what he has done.
4 They will rebuild cities that have long been in ruins.

5 My people, foreigners will serve you.
They will take care of your flocks
And farm your land and tend your vineyards.
6 And you will be known as the priests of the Lord,
The servants of our God.
You will enjoy the wealth of the nations
And be proud that it is yours.
7 Your shame and disgrace are ended.
You will live in your own land,
And your wealth will be doubled;
Your joy will last forever.

8 The Lord says,

“I love justice and I hate oppression and crime.
I will faithfully reward my people
And make an eternal covenant with them.

Promises, promises.

Just what we want at the start of a New Year.

When we look at the state of our world at the start of 2018 

we may well need all the cheerful promises we can find.

Where is peace?

Where is justice?

Where is tolerance?

Where is kindness?

Where is love?

Who cares for the poor?

Who has time for the brokenhearted?

Who can spare a thought for the prisoner?

In truth many people are caring,

many are working for peace and justice,

many are loving their neighbours,

many are speaking out against hatred and oppression.

But the forces ranged against them are formidable,

greed and selfishness,

racism and intolerance,

cruelty and lies.

Can we believe the promises of a better day,

a fairer world,

a consensus that will speak truth to power?

Where will our help come from?

Our help will come from the Lord.

Constant God,

we come to you with our doubts,

our worries,

our mistrust of those who should have our welfare at heart

but who too often care only for their own power and position,

our timidity in confronting them.

We thank you that your love is constant,

your mercy never fails,

your grace is sufficient,

your promises are true - 

all shall be well,

and all shall be well,

and all manner of thing shall be well.