Links for today’s readings:
Jul 16 Read: Isaiah 45 Listen: (4:39) Read: Psalms 112-113 Listen: (1:49)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 45.18-19, 22-23
18 For this is what the Lord says—
he who created the heavens,
he is God;
he who fashioned and made the earth,
he founded it;
he did not create it to be empty,
but formed it to be inhabited—
he says:
“I am the Lord,
and there is no other.
19 I have not spoken in secret,
from somewhere in a land of darkness;
I have not said to Jacob’s descendants,
‘Seek me in vain.’
I, the Lord, speak the truth;
I declare what is right.
22 “Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.
23 By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
Reflection: Ready, Willing, and Able to Save
By John Tillman
A “well-meant offer” is more than just good intentions. It means being ready, willing, and able to deliver what is offered.
A politician may offer something to all citizens without intending to deliver it, or intending to deliver it only to his political donors. This is deception. A politician may also offer something to all citizens when they don’t have the votes or legal authority to deliver it. This is also deception.
If you say to people in your workplace, “Who wants donuts in the morning? I’ll bring them,” you shouldn’t secretly hope Gary doesn’t want donuts because you hate Gary and don’t want to buy him donuts. You also shouldn’t offer everyone donuts when you only have cash to buy donuts for half of the people.
God is not a lying politician, making deceptive promises to seem like a nice guy. God is not an over-promising and under-delivering politician who doesn’t have the power to enact his promises. God doesn’t offer donuts when he doesn’t want to give them, and he’s never short of cash.
In Isaiah 45, and in many other places, God offers salvation. He offers it to Israel: “I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth.” (Is 45.19) He also offers salvation to the entire world, “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth…my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked.” (Is 45.22-23)
When God makes an offer, he means it. He’s not hedging. God has the power, resources, and willingness to deliver everything he promises.
Salvation is not God’s only well-meant offer.
God offers, and fully intends, to complete in us the work he began to conform us to the image of Jesus. He offers, and fully intends, to bring us through trials and suffering that we could not bear without him, displaying his power in our weakness. He offers, and fully intends, to use our feeble resources, skills, and efforts as means to complete his work in this world.
A totaled car in a ravine needs more than being pulled back up to the road. It needs restoration. Jesus offers and intends to complete that work in us and anyone who accepts his offer.
When you accept his offer, Jesus will make you ready, willing, and able to share it with “all you ends of the earth.”
Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
Lore God of hosts, hear my prayer; hearken, O God of Jacob. — Psalm 84.7
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Public, Prayerful, Persistent Protest
People often say to protesters, “Not here. Not now. Not like this.” But Daniel did not allow anyone to dictate the timing and method of his prayerful protest.
Read more: He Stoops to Raise
He strips himself.
He lays aside
His Heaven
His throne
His clothes
His life
