Scripture: Isaiah 57:18-19
I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will lead them and repay them with comfort, creating for their mourners the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them.
Thought for the Day: In these couple of verses, their ways are compared to The Way of God (vs. 14). Yet despite their ways not being the way of God, the people will be repaid with comfort. God is coming to them for the purpose of healing them. Whether these words were heard in Babylonian Exile or after the people had returned from Exile, a joyous vision of God is presented – a vision of a God who reaches out for the purpose of reconciliation in spite of the fact that the people’s ways were still not matching the ways of God. In a time when the gods of other nations were seen as unpredictable, pretentious and unforgiving, this vision of God would have been beyond amazing. Might I suggest that we have a lot of folks providing a vision of a so-called “Christian God” that is unpredictable, pretentious and unforgiving. Even today, I believe there are many who would find the alternative view of God described in Isaiah 57 as life-giving and hopeful.
Prayer: Even when I am far from your path, Gracious Father, I am thankful for how you make a way for me to know comfort, peace and healing. Amen.
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As we look at healing the sick & those who suffer
