Scripture: Isaiah 58:8-9
Isn’t it sharing your bread with the hungry and bringing the homeless poor into your house, covering the naked when you see them, and not hiding from your own family? Then your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly. Your own righteousness will walk before you, and the LORD’s glory will be your rear guard.
Thought for the Day: One last devotional focusing on Isaiah 58, the same text I used for my sermon on Sunday. I thought of these words on Sunday morning, specifically the language of how light will break out. These words jumped into my mind at the beginning of the 11:00am service as I noticed how the candles on the communion table were not lit. They were blown out between services, which is fine, but we need to remember to relight. During the greeting time, I asked Sheila Gillette if she’d find a lighter for me, and within a few moments, here she was with a lighter in hand. As I shared our announcements for the morning, I was also lighting the candles…though let me add, I don’t multi-task well. I think I forgot one of the announcements. Yet, it was still important for us to have those candles lit. There is something very powerful about candlelight in worship as it reminds us of the many references to light within scripture. It’s interesting how Isaiah speaks of us sharing in acts of justice and compassion, and then from those acts light will break forth. What comes next is equally important as Isaiah speaks of how healing comes quickly. For Isaiah, the acts of justice and compassion were redemptive in nature, and they were a means by which the nation was being brought back to wholeness. At the same time, I believe such actions are healing well beyond those who directly experienced the just and compassionate acts. When the marginalized and poor are lifted-up, everyone benefits. We may initially dislike the costs (time, money, resources), but the benefit is redemptive and healing for everyone. Light breaks forth from such acts, and healing comes quickly.
Prayer: Wherever I can and whenever I can, Lord, assist me in the work of your kingdom that is manifest in justice and compassion. May the work I do on your behalf be work that helps to heal our fractured and hurting world. This I pray in the name of the gracious redeemer, Jesus. Amen.
WEDNESDAY STUDY
Continuing –
Leading from Here to There
