As the earth brings forth its plants,
and a garden makes its growth spring up,
so will the Lord God make justice and praise
spring up before all the nations.
Isaiah 61:11
This morning this image struck with such power and caused me to pause. The more I think on this the more I cherish the beautiful promise of something that all hearts yearn for; justice. We see the lack of it daily. We read about its absence constantly. We shake our heads wearily; “Where is justice?” This though, this promise from the prophet gives me hope that not all random evil (public shootings, spouses destroying their families, public figures getting away with a slap on the wrist, the list is endless) will prevail in the end. It gets to the point that one can grow apathetic to it all. It’s just a screwed up world and all I can do is protect my own. Then I read this poetic promise of hope for the future.
I am fully aware that this promise by the prophet was to a specific people returning from exile at specific time and place. However, I believe that the same God who spoke through the prophet then is the God who sent Jesus, and who is at work even now in this world stirring up hearts with hope, restoring joy, and bringing peace to the impossible situations. Therefore, I step across the threshold and out of the great room of despair and into the field of hope, faith, and love.
If you wrestle with doubt that there is a God or that such a God cares about you I want you to know that I am writing this for you. God does know you exist, you are not a mistake, and more than that God loves you!
Rev. Shawn J. Smith 