Mexico City Missive ~ Winter Newsletter 2016
Strengthen
the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with
fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your
God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine
retribution he will come to save you.” Isaiah 35: 3-4
In
a time of great trouble, Isaiah encourages Israel to wait for God. Be
strong, he says. Do not fear. God
will come. Intrigued by her plight, we get caught up in the
story. We wait with Israel in her sorrow, anguish, and even in her
embarrassment over her predicament. Israel trusted the wrong
advisers, made a pact with the wrong leaders, and neglected her
responsibility toward the marginalized. As the people of God confront
their own fickleness, irresponsibility, and infidelity we wait with
them as they wait for God. Hold steady, the prophet declares.
God
will come.
With
reckless abandon and confident prose, Isaiah prophesies of a time of
redemption, hope, healing, and joy. It won't always be like this,
Isaiah assures them. God will come.
The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap, and the
mute will shout for joy (35: 6). That's not all. In a climate fit
solely for predators, waters and streams will burst forth producing a
lush garden fit especially for God's people (35:7). Encourage one
another in hopeful surrender.
God
will come.
Is
Israel ready for a new exodus? Are we? When God comes, Isaiah
promises, he will provide a highway for the rescued (35: 8). A road
uncluttered by the ravenous, the wicked, and the unsuited; a Way
dedicated to the redeemed, the holy, and the humbled (35: 9). The
sorrow and sighing that accompanied judgment will flee as gladness
and joy overtake the people of God (35: 10). Are we ready for this
new day? I am. Take heart, friends. Soon Advent longing will end and
Christmas morn will dawn. On that day, we will awake, arise, breathe
deep, and rejoice!
Behold,
the Lord is come.
Stuart
& Wendy
serving
in mexico city
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