Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  Isaiah 40:25–31

To whom then will you compare me,
    or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
    calling them all by name;
because he is great in strength,
    mighty in power,
    not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
    and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
    and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
    and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
    they shall walk and not faint. (NRSV)

Reflection
Nothing is built to last anymore. In the last year our refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machine have all broken down. I naively called the GE repairman only to find out over and over again that it would be cheaper to buy a new one than to repair the old one. He told me that they are only built to last about five years. They used to be built to last for about twenty years.

This seems so wasteful as I think about sustainability and the fact that one small part is all that is needed for my twelve-year-old washing machine, but they have discontinued it. So I am heartened to hear today these words from Isaiah: “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the earth.” The Lord is the everlasting God. Have you ever tried to imagine something everlasting? We can’t as humans grasp it. We live a finite existence.

We can face this new year with confidence because our God is everlasting. The universe is ultimately secure in God’s hands and so are we. Life on earth may be uncertain; nothing lasts forever here, except God. As children of God, we are called to participate in improving and transforming our world, but when we get discouraged we are to face fear with hope, knowing that ultimately God will prevail. This is what the waiting is about. It does not mean that we are passively waiting, but working with hope. God’s timetable is not our timetable. We must work to build God’s kingdom on earth, to transform ourselves and our cities, but we should not become weary and discouraged with this work. God is everlasting, and God will renew this world.

Prayer
Loving God, it is so comforting to know that you were, you are, and you always will be. Help us to work with hope as we wait for your renewing power and presence. Help us to face this new year with confidence in your transforming love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Written by Liz Nickerson, Family Ministry Coordinator and Interim Director of Worship

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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