The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners . . . to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Devotion based on Isaiah 61:1-5

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You probably aren’t poor—at least, you’ve probably never had to dig through the garbage for food. I hope none of you go to prison! Even if you’ve felt some heartbreak before, you’ve probably never been captured or had your hometown destroyed.

But can you picture all those things? Have you seen images on TV of people suffering those things? Can you imagine how it must feel to have a hunger that seems like it will never go away, or feel completely trapped and unable to escape, or like everything you’ve known has been destroyed and there’s nowhere safe?

If you haven’t, you will someday.

God uses those images as pictures of sin and guilt. When we’re caught in a bad sin, it’s like we’re starving to feel good again. Sometimes the sinful things we do break up friendships or destroy important things in our lives, and we can feel like we’re locked up in a prison of our own making or standing in the ruins of what used to be our lives.

But God didn’t just want people to have powerful pictures of their suffering. He had the prophet Isaiah tell people a time was coming when someone would come from God to undo all those problems: He’d preach good news for the poor, freedom for captives and comfort for the broken-hearted. He’d build up the broken-down cities and give them wealth and success. Have you felt that kind of glory and success?

You have! Those are pictures of the forgiveness Jesus brings us. God doesn’t promise us that when we have faith in Jesus, he’s going to give us everything we want. But he does want us to know that Jesus will fix the things that matter. The things that truly matter. He sets us free from sin and guilt! He promises us life in heaven! He gives us everything we need, including his strength to rebuild some of the broken things in our lives.

The people in Isaiah’s day must have been filled with joy when they heard those promises! May Jesus give us joy every day, too.

Heavenly Father, there are parts of our lives that are hurting and broken. Help us cling to the forgiveness and the hope we have in Jesus. Show us the way you fix our greatest problems now and keep us in the faith until you bring us to heaven, where there are no problems left. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above