Today’s readings.. (1 Samuel 21,22), (Isaiah 65), (Matthew 10)

Today and tomorrow we read the final 2 chapters of Isaiah.  God expresses through the prophet his lament for those who turn away from him, those who “insulted me” – to whom he says, “do not come near me, for I am too holy for you” [65 v.5,7]

      In contrast, his genuine servants “shall sing for gladness of heart” and “his servants he will call by another name so that he who blesses himself by the God of truth … because the former troubles are forgotten … for behold I create new heavens and a new earth” [v.14-17].

        This will be “for my people who have sought me” [v.10].   The key question the LORD asks us all is  – do you seek God – do you see him as the God of truth?  Isaiah of course is writing for his people, the Jews, but these words also apply to everyone – for when Jesus came and died his sacrifice was for people of all nations. His final words to his disciples at the end of Matthew’s gospel are, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them … teaching them to observe all I have commanded you.”                                          

          Let’s take into our minds more of what God said through Isaiah, it is a wonderful heart stirring vision of life in the future when “the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever …” [v.17,18]  Nature itself will be changed, “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox … they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, says the LORD” [v.25,26].

          And in Chapter 66 more words jump out at us! “… this is the one to whom I will look : he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” [v.2]  That reminds us of how Jesus started his ‘Sermon on the mount’ – “Blessed are the poor (lowly) in spirit (attitude of mind)”

          Ask yourself,  Do I qualify to be among those to whom God “will look”?  Do my attitudes, my aims in life qualify me for the wonder God has ordained for the future?  Whether we will be part of this wondrous time we are reading about depends on the “spirit,” the attitude of mind that is genuinely developing within us, as true servants. Let’s finish by quoting v.14 of this final chapter, “You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice … the hand of the LORD shall be known to his servants …”   May we be among those who “see” and “rejoice”