Isaiah 59:9-15 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 59:9-15 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us; we wait for light, and lo! there is darkness; and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. Verse 10We grope like the blind along a wall, groping like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among the vigorous as though we were dead. Verse 11We all growl like bears; like doves we moan mournfully. We wait for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. Verse 12For our transgressions before you are many, and our sins testify against us. Our transgressions indeed are with us, and we know our iniquities: Verse 13transgressing, and denying the Lord, and turning away from following our God, talking oppression and revolt, conceiving lying words and uttering them from the heart. Verse 14Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands at a distance; for truth stumbles in the public square, and uprightness cannot enter. Verse 15Truth is lacking, and whoever turns from evil is despoiled. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.
Devotion
The prophet describes people as blind, stumbling around in darkness, as lacking justice, truth and righteousness. It is not a pretty picture, but unfortunately it is an accurate one. I certainly have been all of these, and more. I am sure that God has been displeased with the lack of justice in my life, as well as in the world. The good news is that Jesus brought healing for all of our ills, and we do not have to strive to win God’s approval. God still calls us to work for justice, but God loves us even when we fall short or fail.
Prayer
Loving God, you call us to work for justice for your people and for your creation. Forgive our shortcomings, and help us to continue to work to bring your realm into fruition on earth, as it is in heaven. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.