Scripture: Isaiah 25:4-5
For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat. When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm, the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place, you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds; the song of the ruthless was stilled.
Thought for the Day: As we move further into the 25th chapter of Isaiah, we find beautiful prose that describe what the Lord God has done and will do among the people. The word we translate as refuge, can also be translated as fortress. The poor and the needy continue to experience suffering, but it is the desire of God to see them safely into a place where their needs are met and they are no longer known by the broad categories of poor and needy. The Psalmist also speaks of a shelter from rain and heat. The Hebrew word we translate as shelter has been translated in other portions of scripture as hope. This broadens our understanding of what it means to find oneself within God’s shelter. It is more than a momentary protection, but an experience of hope and promise. Too often we read portions of scripture with such literal eyes that we miss the visionary beauty being portrayed in the poetry of the prophet.
Prayer: O Holy One of Creation, the moment I believe I have found you is the moment that I discover there is so much more of you to discover. Keep me searching. Amen.
WEDNESDAY STUDY
Embracing Forgiveness
Noon & 6:30pm
GENTLEMEN
Consider this event with Tony Dungy
(Marshall Martin has tickets)
