Today’s scripture: Isaiah 40:1-41 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
Israel had gone through so much in Isaiah’s lifetime. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”
With everything happening in our world today, God’s people can use some comfort. With everything we are going through, the killings here and abroad, we are being forced to listen and see each other, not just physically, but spiritually, holistically, and with openness. If we don’t, the healing and peace may not happen.
We can listen empathetically, and try to understand what others are feeling and try to experience that feeling and walk in their shoes. The problem? That is so hard. Everyone experiences life differently, and some of us never experience what others do.
I will never know what it feels like to be Philando Castile, who was shot and killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was pulled over for the umpteenth time, and shot when asked for identification and reaching for his wallet in his jacket. Philando’s vice was a few too many traffic tickets. I have been pulled over more times than Philando, but I have never, ever felt in danger, or feared for my life when stopped. (One of my embarrassing attributes, my lead foot! The worst thing I ever got was traffic school.) I was not driving Black. I don’t want to come across as if I am saying that all police officers are mistake prone and prejudiced, because they are not. But it is something that I have never had to think about in my encounters.
Verses 3 to 5 of today’s scripture –
“In the wilderness prepare
the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
I pray for the day where the rough ground will become level, and all of us will see it together. I hope it happens in my lifetime. I never would have imagined that same-sex marriage would be legal in my lifetime, so I will pray that God will guide us and speak through us in ways that the truth will be revealed.
I end with this – Verses 28-31 –
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
God will not faint or grow weary;
God’s understanding is unsearchable.
God gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord
shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.
Prayer for the day: God, I pray for the day that we will soar together in your peace. Just as the people of Israel experienced oppression and then victory and freedom on several occasions, help us to reach those milestones. Help us to learn and grow through the struggles, the stumbling, and the valleys to get there.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.