Devotion for Monday 13 September
Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter Forty Five verse Eight, “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness; let the earth open up, and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also. I the Lord have created it,” (NRSVB). The prophet Isaiah foretold that God would use Cyrus, the King of Persia, to allow the Israelites to return from captivity and to decree future help for the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem. In this prophecy God reveals that he would give the Persian king special favour and he would discover hidden treasure, riches mined underground.
However, the greatest treasure that King Cyrus would discover, would be to know that God is the Lord, and there is no one like Him. For the sake of God’s chosen children of Jacob, the Israelites, God has called Cyrus by name, from a nation that did not fear God, but who got to know God through the captives in Babylon. When the omnipotence of God is realized and respected by the nations of the world, peace reigns, and blessings are received, as if it falls as gifts from heaven. Righteousness brings forth more righteousness. “God the Creator of earth and heaven did not establish earth to be a worthless waste: He formed it to be inhabited, therefore assemble yourselves and come; draw near together you survivors of the nations! Look to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other,” Isaiah Chapter Forty Five verses Twenty and Twenty One, (Amplified Bible).
The prophecies of Isaiah can be interpreted on many levels, first and foremost as they came true for the returning remnant of exiles from Babylon. They are also interpreted against the backdrop of the rebuilding of the Temple and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He saved all the nations with his work on the Cross, reconciling the nations of the world with their Creator, their heavenly Father. Lastly the prophecies are interpreted with the view of Jesus’ coming again in glory to proclaim his kingship, when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess his lordship. We live in the time where we wait for the second appearance of the Lord, and the showering of his blessing of peace unto all the nations. Then he would be crowned as the Worthy Lamb of God, who came to take away the sin of the world. When Jesus appears again righteousness will reign on earth and in heaven forever.
The Apostle Paul encourages the congregations in his second letter to the Corinthians, in Chapter Nine verse Ten, “And God Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your resources for sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness, which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness and charity,” (Amplified Bible). We are consoled and urged to continue to spread the Gospel and work in our families, congregations, communities and nations. God will supply the needs of the world wide church, for he has plans and purposes for her to be showered with blessings and peace. Let us take heart and wait on the Lord, for we will still see his promises manifested in glory and justice for all.
Father, we thank you that it is you who works righteousness in the hearts of humankind, you reveal yourself to those who did not know you, you call them by name and they obey your call and fulfil your divine purposes. Help us to look with eager hope towards our deliverance and wait patiently to see the fulfilment of your promises, Amen.
