Isaiah 49:8-13 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 49:8-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 8Thus says the Lord: In a time of favor I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; Verse 9saying to the prisoners, "Come out," to those who are in darkness, "Show yourselves." They shall feed along the ways, on all the bare heights shall be their pasture; Verse 10they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. Verse 11And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up. Verse 12Lo, these shall come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene.
Verse 13Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones.
Devotion
Only human beings can remember God's faithfulness and thereby, trust for tomorrow. But Isaish's delight cannot be contained in the human race-he envisions all of nature breaking forth. Only participation by all of creation is great enough for this celebration. We have been fed! Our thirst has been quenched! God's compassionate love is with us! Have you not heard the heavens sing and the mountains break forth? Sing for joy!
Prayer
May we live our lives, O Lord, among those who have taken their grateful place within your magnificent creation. We praise and magnify your Holy Name! Amen.