Wednesday 9 December 2020

Today is Wednesday the 9 December in the 2nd week of Advent.

Salt of the Sound sing, ‘Star of Wonder’.  

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.  

This chapter, which begins the second part of Isaiah, sometimes called the Book of Consolation, offers comfort and encouragement, and a promise of salvation.  Is this a message that I need to hear today?  

The Lord invites me to look up, to see the stars in the heavens, the stars the Lord has named and set in place. Do I take the time to lift my eyes from the ‘everyday’ to the glory of the stars? Do I appreciate that wonder surrounds me?  Do I take a moment to give thanks to the Lord of all Creation?  

Without doubt, recent events and personal circumstances may have made us weary. Powerlessness is very much a symbol of this year, where the simplest thing can seem out of our control. We are human beings after all, and we have our limitations. No matter how young or old we are, there are times when we have had enough. Is this something I am experiencing now? Can I tell the Lord how I am feeling, with trust in his strength and compassion?  

As we listen to the scripture again, we are reassured by the vision of flying on eagles wings. I don’t have to do it all myself, I am lifted by the Lord. Can I call for the Lord to renew my strength where it is needed?  

During this day let me take the opportunity to look up and give thanks.    

O Wisdom

Lord and Ruler

Root of Jesse

Key of David

Rising Sun

King of the Nations

Emmanuel

Come, Lord Jesus