September 4, 2023

Today's Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6

Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 7:1-17, 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:22

“My salvation will be forever” (Isaiah 51:6)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner” (Isaiah 51:6). That sounds a lot like many of the fears expressed by people today: fear about what’s happening in the world; fear about what’s happening to the creation; fear about death. But Isaiah is not repeating the fears of people; he’s speaking the words of Yahweh to His people. Listen to Me, God says. Look; pay attention. Look at all the things and know that none of them will last forever. This creation and all the people in it are subject to sin and death, and thus they all wear out and fade away. So do not put your trust in them! Do not make anything in this creation your god. None of it can save you. 

Listen, instead, to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek Yahweh. Look to Me, the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug (51:1). I am your creator. I made Abraham and Sarah, and from them I made Israel, My people. And by that family line, I bring to the world My salvation and My righteousness. All creation waits for Me to restore it in Christ. 

Listen and look! My salvation and My righteousness are in Jesus, by whom I judge the nations. He spreads out His arms, nailed to the cross, and My judgment is fulfilled in His body, to give you My righteousness and My salvation. I will comfort you in the midst of the mess of this creation, the mess of your family, the mess of your life. I will make deserts into gardens, and this old, wilderness creation into a new, Eden creation. You can find this comfort now in the places I have promised to be, in My Word and My Sacraments. There you can find the beginning of rivers in the desert, of the Garden I am making in the middle of the wilderness of this world. The day is coming when there will be only joy and gladness and thanksgiving forever, because God’s salvation in Jesus, risen from the dead, cannot be removed or killed or destroyed. “My salvation is forever, and My righteousness will never be dismayed” (51:6).  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

“In Thee is gladness Amid all sadness, Jesus, sunshine of my heart. By Thee are given The gifts of heaven, Thou the true Redeemer art. Our souls Thou wakest, Our bonds Thou breakest; Who trusts Thee surely  Has built securely; He stands forever: Alleluia! Our hearts are pining To see Thy shining, Dying or living To Thee are cleaving; Naught can us sever: Alleluia!” (LSB 818:1) 

- Pastor Timothy Winterstein is pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, East Wenatchee, Washington.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.