Category Archives: Isaiah

Don’t turn back

Harry Fenn (1845-1911)
Caesarea Philippi (Banias)
Watercolor, gouache, brown ink, and graphite on light brown wove paper
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34

Our personal cross may appear small in light of all the suffering in the world, but it is our cross to bear each day with patience and endurance. As we follow the Way of Jesus into forgiveness, generosity, and compassion, we trust God will use our self-donation for the highest good of all of humanity.

Today I will put my faith in God’s loving care for me and know God is my help. I will take up my cross with courage and dignity and follow the Lord wherever he leads me.

God is here

Sebaid Beham (1500-1550)
Print, book illustration,1530
British Museum, 1940,0617.12

Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God. Isaiah 35:4a

No matter what it looks like in our troubled world, God is in charge. We are not lost. We have not been abandoned. God is here. We have nothing to fear. God’s vision of love and unity will be fulfilled.

Today I will intentionally choose to open my eyes and ears and heart to discern where I can bring a little comfort, a little peace, a little love to the people in my corner of the world.

Give comfort

Second Sunday of Advent

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

We are all frail people who are suffering from something voiced or unvoiced, something accepted or denied, something tangible or intangible.

Today I will do as God asks and offer a word or gesture of comfort to everyone I meet, including myself.

Everyone is welcome here

Unknown maker, Rembrandt Pupil, active 1650s Christ and the Canaanite Woman, 1650
Pen and brown ink, brown wash, corrected with white gouache
J. Paul Getty Museum

For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah 56:7

Everyone—without exception—is welcome in God’s house, a house of prayer and unity.

Today I will remember my heart is where God dwells. I will welcome all people into my small God-house of prayer.

To-do list

Mount of Beatitudes

Thus says the LORD:
Share your bread with the hungry,
shelter the oppressed and the homeless;
clothe the naked when you see them,
and do not turn your back on your own.
Isaiah 58:7

Sometimes I just don’t know how to help. There are so many people in need.

But the Lord gives me a simple to-do list. Share my food and clothing. Find a way to help those without homes and those who are suffering unjust, inhumane treatment. Honor and respect all people. Make my home an oasis of kindness and welcome.

Today I will shine the light of love and compassion in my corner of the world. I will refuse to be indifferent to any of God’s children.

Follow Love

James Tissot (1836-1902)
Calling of Saint James and Saint John

Jesus called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. Matthew 4:21c-22

Constant reports of war, greed, illness, depression, aggression, finger-pointing, and lack of personal accountability are causes of gloom and distress in our daily lives.

But the Lord calls us to leave our preoccupation with all that is in disrepair in the world and instead follow him to show by our life example that reconciliation, respect, courtesy, and compassionate service have the power to mend all divisions.

Today I will remember God has graced me with a spirit of love. I will follow the Lord on the way of love to bring the light of kindness, encouragement, and hope to all people I encounter.

Transformed by God’s grace and peace

Zelenka, Dave. Baptism of Christ, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56385 [retrieved January 14, 2023]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baptism-of-Christ.jpg.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3

Each day is an opportunity to consciously place ourselves in the presence of God and ask to be touched by God’s grace and filled with God’s peace.

And as we receive these gifts, we are called to be servants of God’s will and give them away so that the light of reconciliation and love may reach to the ends of the earth.

God is my strength. Today I will let God’s grace and peace transform my thoughts, words, and the ways in which I interact with the people I encounter.

A vision of reverence

Second Sunday of Advent

There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea. Isaiah 11:9

It is a vision to work toward: where we are filled with the knowledge of the holiness of God’s creation, where we do not harm the earth or each other, where we take care of the world and each other and do not bring about the ruin of anyone or anything.

Today I will embody a vision of reverence toward all of God’s precious creation, especially each and every person.

Walk in the light of the Lord

First Sunday of Advent

One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. Isaiah 2:4

War never serves the good of the people. Yet we continue to wage war. War between countries. War between political parties. War between people with different religions and cultures. War between family members. War between greed and what is good for the earth. War between my desire to do the will of God and my fear of being different, of not having enough, of being hurt.

Today I will walk in peace with myself, my family, my community. I will let go of fear, put my trust in God, and walk in the light of the Lord.

Comfort

Zelenka, Dave. Baptism of Christ, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56385 [retrieved January 9, 2022]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baptism-of-Christ.jpg.

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

Each of us is a beloved child of God in need of loving kindness, encouragement, and healing.

Today I will be a source of comfort to every person I encounter.