Tuesday, January 21, 2025  

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Today's Scripture
Isaiah 62:1–12

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new namethat the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the Lord delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.

Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,
I have posted sentinels;
all day and all night
they shall never be silent.
You who remind the Lord,
take no rest,
and give him no rest
until he establishes Jerusalem
and makes it renowned throughout the earth.
The Lord has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
I will not again give your grain
to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink the wine
for which you have labored;
but those who garner it shall eat it
and praise the Lord,
and those who gather it shall drink it
in my holy courts.
Go through, go through the gates,
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway,
clear it of stones,
lift up an ensign over the peoples.
The Lord has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to daughter Zion,
“See, your salvation comes;
his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.”
They shall be called, “The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord”;
and you shall be called, “Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.” (NRSV)

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Reflection

What a potent passage that speaks of God’s unwavering commitment to us and our promised transformation. It provides a beacon of hope and assurance that reminds us that God’s eternal love and promises are so relevant to our lives today.

In verses 1–5, we grasp God’s determination to bring righteousness and salvation to us. It serves as a reminder of how God actively works in our lives even when we can’t see it. Verses 6–9 highlight the importance of prayer and vigilance. God’s appointment of never-silent watchers encourages us to persist in our prayers and our faith and calls upon us to be active participants in God’s work.

And verses 10–12 prepare us for the Lord’s coming, powerfully reminding us that we are called to be messengers of God’s love and salvation by preparing our hearts and lives and those of others for God’s coming.

In today’s world, where uncertainty and challenges abound, this passage reassures us of God’s unchanging love and active role in our lives. To further appreciate its power, relish this scripture song sung by Esther Mui, “Surely Your Salvation Is Coming,” based on Isaiah 62.  

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Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your unwavering love and commitment to us. Strengthen our resolve to be active participants in your work as messengers of your love and salvation. Help us shine as beacons of hope in a world that desperately needs your light. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.  

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Written by Tim Schellhardt, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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