Slices
Prepare
Write a prayer or hymn of praise, giving thanks to God for who he is and all he’s done for us. It doesn’t need to be in iambic pentameter or rhyme – simply heartfelt.
Bible passage
Songs of praise
12 In that day you will say:
‘I will praise you, Lord.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
2 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defence;
he has become my salvation.’
3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say:
‘Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.’
Explore
This section of Isaiah began with the song of the vineyard, a poem about God’s disappointment and anger with his people for their unfaithful and unfruitful lives. It ends with a song of praise and thanksgiving that makes me weep with wonder and incomprehension. How can God still love his people, given all we’ve seen about our behaviour? For we now are little different to God’s people then.
In place of God’s anger, we are comforted (v 1). In place of fear is trust (v 2). God is our strength, our defence, our salvation (v 2) – the wells of which are deep and joyous. This is the song of the ‘remnant’, those who have passed through the fire of God’s judgement, purified and made holy to be his people. For God’s people then this meant geopolitical turmoil. What does it mean for us?
This holy remnant will finally fulfil the original mission of God’s people: taking the light of God’s salvation, his might, all he has done, to the nations (vs 4,5).
How might you take that mission into the new year?
Respond
Read verse 6. And again. I’m going to write it down and stick it somewhere I can see it because I need a daily reminder: God is great, he is holy and he is with us (me), whether or not I feel full of joy. What about you?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Corinthians 13; Revelation 22
Pray for Scripture Union
Mission Enabler Jenni Whymark has moved from the south east region to the central region. Pray that she will quickly make new connections and that she will have wisdom in knowing which doors to push.
