Daily Readings - Wed Dec 14 2022
Isaiah
6that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.7I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things.8"Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the LORD have created it.18For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other.21Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.22"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.23By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'24"Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.25In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory."
Luke
19calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?"20And when the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?'"21In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.22And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.23And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises. The passage from Isaiah emphasizes God's uniqueness as the creator and savior, urging all ends of the earth to turn to Him. It reassures us of His presence and plan, especially during times of uncertainty. The Gospel from Luke presents a moment of doubt from John the Baptist, who, despite his imprisonment and questioning, receives affirmation through Jesus' miracles, which fulfill the prophecies of old.
These readings connect in their themes of trust and fulfillment. Isaiah's words, spoken during Israel's exile, remind us of God's enduring presence and plan. Luke's narrative shows Jesus affirming His identity through His works, reinforcing faith amidst doubt. Together, they call us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when our circumstances are challenging.
In our daily lives, let us recognize God's presence in our struggles and trust His plan. As we navigate uncertainties, may we look for signs of His work around us. Let us draw strength from the knowledge that God's promises are fulfilled in His time, and may we remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in His providence and love.