August 31, 2015

Instruction
Scripture: Isaiah35:4-7a
These verses are part of a prophecy of hope. Many of Isaiah’s prophecies up to this point have declared God’s judgement on His people because of their unfaithfulness to Him. At last God speaks words of comfort and hope through His prophet declaring that He will come and save them. The marks of this coming and salvation are in miracles of healing and renewal. This passage points us ahead to Jesus’ coming and ministry, and encourages the hearer to anticipate God’s salvation in the midst of their troubles and sinful deadness.
Teaching
This is a passage of pure gospel for God’s people. It lifts the eyes of the believer away from herself and on to God to find encouragement and hope. This is especially important as Isaiah often confronted the people with their sins. God wants to be very assuring: the consequences of sin are hard, but He will not abandon His people; not only that, but He will heal them.
One of the great promises in this passage is that the eyes of blind shall be opened. Nowhere in the Old Testament is there record of a blind person receiving sight. When Jesus heals the blind it is one of the signs that He fulfills God’s promise to come and save His people.
Life
It is easy to become discouraged in this world. The news is often doom and gloom. We see bad things happening and we wonder why. If that were not enough, God’s people often experience (rightly!) guilt and shame when we consider our sins. God’s Word speaks to us in such a way as to say, “I know your sin. I know your guilt. Take courage! I have rescued you, and I will come and restore you to the glory I intended for you from creation.”

Prayer

This prayer is written in the themes of Instruction, Thanksgiving, and Confession.
O God, You call us to strengthen those who are weak, feeble, and anxious because of their sin. Your Word to us is that You will defeat our enemies, save us, and heal us. We certainly are like the parched desert without Your gracious mercy, but now You have made streams run in the desert and brought life to us! We hear Your Word and we break forth in songs of joy, for You come and save us.
Thank You for this beautiful description of your salvation. Thank You for sending those who speak the words that strengthen us and keep us firm in faith. Thank You for taking vengeance on our enemies by rescuing us from the harm they do – especially those enemies that would lead us into sin. Thank You for opening eyes and unstopping ears so that we might perceive Your salvation. Thank You for the joy that leads us to leap and sing praises to You. Thank You for giving us life where once there was death.

We confess, O Lord, that we sometimes resist the good Word that would strengthen us, and we avoid hearing Your message that would make us strong and drive out our fear. Forgive us for living as though we were still blind and deaf; as though we never received Your Word. Forgive us for our shallow joy and praise. Forgive us for looking more like a spiritual desert than like a life-filled oasis. Come and save us at last and bring us to the glorious paradise You have promised us in Christ. Amen. 

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