Wednesday after the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on August 25, 2021 by under
Scripture: Isaiah 29:18-24 (NKJV)
29:18 In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
19 The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20 For the terrible one is brought to nothing, the scornful one is consumed, and all who watch for iniquity are cut off—
21 Who make a man an offender by a word, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and turn aside the just by empty words.
22 Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob:
“Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now grow pale;
23 But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will hallow My name, and hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the God of Israel.
24 These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine.”
Devotion
After declaring God’s promise of judgment upon those who reject Him, Isaiah gives God’s opposite pledge for those who repent. “In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah uses terms that equate to earthly calamity (deafness, blindness, poverty) to indicate such spiritual conditions make us ripe for the kingdom of God (similar to Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5).
Whatever state of life we find ourselves in, the Christian is always to look ahead. There is danger if we do not. If we live in earthly good fortune, we can become distracted and consumed with the rewards of this world. If we must suffer, we can be tempted to despair in wondering why God doesn’t help in time of need. St. Paul addressed this as he reminded the Christians in Rome: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). It takes diligence and commitment to always have such a view. Such a path is only possible through the divine blessings of prayer and the Means of Grace. May we be so committed to each of them.
Prayer: Almighty and Merciful God, of Whose only gift it cometh that Thy faithful people do unto Thee true and laudable service: Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may so faithfully serve Thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain Thy heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
