Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from Book of The Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 12 verse 6, “Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you,” (NRSVB). Chapter 12 is the shortest chapter in the Book of Isaiah. The six verses comprising this chapter tell of the glorious experience of salvation following the time of exile and captivity. Chapter 10 and 13 paint a bleak picture of the coming woes of the people of Israel and Judah. Jerusalem will be invaded, as Samaria was. Captivity and exile will be the lot of the people, if they continue with their disregard for God and his decrees. However, the sombre visions of the prophet are interrupted in Chapter 11, by the vision of the New Jerusalem, when a child shall lead the young lion and the calf, as they joyfully feed together. This is the reason that Israel and Judah can sing again and shout for joy. They will return from their captivity and will be restored to their Father, God, again, as they will settle back in their land. Ultimately all the faithful will enjoy peace on earth as they live with the hope and realization of the peace and joy that they will enjoy in the New Jerusalem. It is in this City of Zion, where the Christ Child, who was born in Bethlehem, will reign over creation as Lord.
Isaiah foretold of the time when Christ would dwell among the people on earth, “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him – the Sprit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord – and shall make Him of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord,” Isaiah 11 verses 2 and 3, (Amplified Bible). When Jesus dwelled on earth he possessed all the virtues ascribed to a wise and righteous person: namely wisdom and prudent judgment and courageous power coupled by reverential fear and obedience to the laws of the Father. He judged the poor and the meek, the downtrodden on earth, with fairness and brought hope to their oppressed state and freed them from their plight. When he comes again, in glory, he will set the wrong things right. He will deal with great compassion and fairness as he judges the world and her people, once, when he returns as Ruler of the New Earth and the New Heaven.
The waiting time for his return is a time when we have to stay alert and offer him our praises as we sing songs of joy to him. The time may feel long but he will appear again at the exact right time and then he would be pleased to find his children waiting and watching for his return like the watchers on the wall, announcing the break of day. When Jesus entered into Jerusalem, shortly before his crucifixion, the people could not contain their prayers and praises as they recognize him, praising him, by using the words of the angels when they announced his birth: “We bring you good news and great tidings of peace on earth and great joy to men.”
“The whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they have seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven,” Luke 19 verses 37 to 38, (Amplified Bible). Wherever Jesus went, those who followed him and those who came to listen to him, were always taught with great love and understanding. He spent time to explain and to teach the word of his Father to those around him. He opened Scripture to them so that they would understand and come to believe and have this sure hope within them. He has not changed and comes and stands alongside us, as we watch and wait for him to open the eyes of our hearts to see him.
Father God, we thank you that you have come to this world to seek and save the lost. We are all like sheep and we go astray on many occasions. Help us to look up to you and know that you will keep us in your peace, Amen.