11 December Isaiah 35:1-10
This passage from Isaiah is a view of a better time to come. It is a time of hope for what God will bring about with the fulfilment of the prophecies of old. It paints a picture of who God is now, at this moment in time and space, of the passing of former times, and of what tomorrow might be. It gives a sense of being able to face the obstacles that life puts in the way, and the transformation that God can bring. It gives signs of hope, refreshment and fulfilment, bringing life to birth and a sense of completion.
When we read this, what picture does it paint in our minds? What does it say about the energy and wholeness that God supplies for the whole of creation? The words give encouragement to live fully in the provision of God’s love and grace, and to trust. What does it mean for us as followers of Jesus to live within the provision of God’s love and grace?
The final verses mention God’s people rejoicing, living within the presence of that joy, and being secure in the knowledge that they are accepted, loved and redeemed by the compassionate grace of God who helps them to live today, and to face tomorrow.
Paul Welch
Lord God,
we thank you for your grace which abounds around and within us.
We thank you that you are the God of the now, in this present moment, and that you pour out your love, grace and beauty into our lives
so that we live in this moment with you,
and have a hope and a faithfulness for tomorrow. Amen.
