Isaiah 66:10-14 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 66:10-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 10Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her- Verse 11that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom. Verse 12For thus says the Lord: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees. Verse 13As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Verse 14You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bodies shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies.
Devotion
Anybody who has cared for a baby knows the phrase "milk drunk." It's that moment after feeding when an infant seems to be in a chemically altered state of bliss. The child’s eyes are half-closed, the brow is smooth, a tiny smile may adorn the lips; everything is groovy. When a baby is milk drunk, more has happened than a satisfaction of nutritional needs. The child feels safe, comfortable, valuable and peaceful.
Isaiah encourages Israel to seek from God all that an infant seeks from a mother: safety, comfort, value and peace along with their physical needs. Despite difficult conditions, Israel could receive everything to live and to make living joyful. God is pleased to pour Godself out for the people. May we come to God as infants come to their mother—receiving all we need to live in this day and all we need to make this day groovy.
Prayer
Mothering God, too often we seek our spiritual comfort from our own sources, sources that will always dry up. Today we turn our faces to you. Fill us physically and spiritually to overflowing so we may share what we have received with others. Amen.