Hoping so

Linda Pollock August 24, 2023 1 2

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Isaiah 55: 10-13 (NRSVA)

10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
    and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

12 For you shall go out in joy,
    and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall burst into song,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
    for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Today again, we see the exiles hearing good news from God’s prophet amid their toiling to restoration. The message is full of hope –  the images are beautiful and hope-filled. Thorns and briers are no more, instead, cypress and myrtle. Joy will replace their sorrow, peace their chaos. Even the mountains and hills will burst into song!

But this scenario requires the people to work, to try, to make the effort necessary for the kind of success God affirms. They must keep going in the face of great discouragement and what seems to be an impossible task. If they whine and decide that this task is too much, then that is the end. If, however, they trust the word of the Lord from the Prophet of the Lord, the promise of God will be fulfilled. Their habitat of hope, their legacy for their children and their children’s children is waiting for them. They are required to live in God, to believe God, to trust God, to watch and wait upon God.

The truth remains for us today, will this knowledge make any difference to you as you go about your day?

PRAYER:                                                                                                                                                           

O God of the ages, help me to make the effort to trust You in all I do this new day, that my habitat today might be hope for whosoever I encounter, and for those who will come after me. In the Name of Christ Jesus, Amen.