Isaiah 44:6-8 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 44:6-8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 6Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Verse 7Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. Verse 8Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.
Devotion
Have you ever served on a jury or watched a trial on TV? It is each juror’s job to watch the body language and listen to the words of each and every witness. In order to reach a verdict, the jury has to review the testimony of all the witnesses and decide if they are telling “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” The job of the witness is to share with the court and the jury an accurate account of their view of the situation. Many times, there are disagreements among witnesses over the facts of the case.
In today’s reading God asks the hearer to be a fearless witness concerning who God is. Today in the world as court, we are called to be God’s witnesses. May we share God’s presence so others know that the truth is being told. Go without fear! Share!
Prayer
O God, we come before you with thanksgiving. You are our God, our rock and redeemer. Thank you for always being with us. Help us to share this good news with others today. Amen.