Today is November 29 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the book of Isaiah, chapter 42.  
 
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,  
         my chosen one in whom I delight;  
         I will put my Spirit on him,  
         and he will bring justice to the nations.  
      2 He will not shout or cry out,  
         or raise his voice in the streets.  
      3 A bruised reed he will not break,  
         and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.  
         In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;  
         4   he will not falter or be discouraged  
         till he establishes justice on earth.  
         In his teaching the nations will put their hope.” 
  
This is a familiar passage for many, with two powerful images. A bruised reed… and a Smoldering wick. Imagine a plant, growing tall, that is broken halfway up. The top half hanging down limply. imagine a candle that’s just been snuffed out, still a few embers lit, still smoking. These are images of who we are. We are tender, wounded, weak… And Isaiah tells us that even to those in these conditions, the Christ will bring forth justice. He will bring forth hope? How does that make you feel? 
  
Jesus sees value in us, even in our weakness. And God is gentle and compassionate to us even when we feel almost entirely burned out. Listen to the text again and try to rest in this truth of where our Hope lies. 
  
Scripture tells us that it is the kindness of God that leads to repentance. As we under time of prayer today, consider how radical that is. Consider how upside down that is. An invite God to make you more into that kind of person… a person who is kind, compassionate, full of mercy… 
 
Music: "Your Love" -Vineyard Worship  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zihyfv_EVAo