Tuesday, November 15, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Isaiah 12

You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (NRSV)

Reflection

As a kid, one of the worst things I could imagine was disappointing my parents. I wasn’t a bad kid but certainly no angel either! I would wind up in the hall having a conversation with my teacher or in the principal’s office to discuss my attitude. In those days, “attitude” in a Roman Catholic elementary school meant questions about the church or scripture that didn’t seem to make sense.

Each time my parents would listen to the report from the teacher, and then they would listen to my side of the story. If my explanation was reasonable and I told them the absolute truth, all would be well. However, being a kid, I did embellish (lie) to cover my own behind, and here’s the part that I still hold today—the look on my parents’ faces . . . they knew in an instant that I was lying. That look is embedded in my memory.

Isaiah 12 brings this memory to the forefront for me today. The pericope begins with rejoicing that the Lord’s anger has passed (like my parents’ anger), and the author gives thanks and praise that God is with them now and still loves them (parents); there is complete trust that despite the situation God is with them and salvation will be given if sought with one’s whole heart.

The author does not fear what will come, for he has complete trust in the Lord’s promise of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. The Lord will never abandon God’s children, and we should rejoice.

Sing to the Lord,
for he has done excellent things;
this is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!

Each of us is a child of God; God waits for us, loving us through all our choices—good, bad, and everything in between. God will not abandon us! Surely, this is reason enough to shout of the Lord’s goodness to all the earth!

Prayer

Good and gracious God, may I set aside all my own “stuff” so that I may rejoice in all your grace and sing your praises today and all my days. Amen.

Written by Annette Mileski, Director, Center for Life and Learning

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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