December 22 | Isaiah 52:1-10

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DAILY READING

Isaiah 52:1-10

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REFLECTION

Our God Reigns even in Captivity

By Dave Mann

The people of the Lord are still held captive, but the Lord rouses them from slumber so that they can dress in their finest clothing (v. 1) and celebrate the victory of the Lord.  Even though they have chains on their necks, they can shake them off (v. 2).  Though they may have spent time in the enemy territory of Egypt to the southwest to escape the threat of Assyria coming from the northeast (v. 4), God is about to move.  The Lord’s name has been mocked and set in derision; his enemies have blasphemed the Lord’s holiness. Never fear, all this is not a surprise to God; he predicted Jerusalem’s demise in the past.  In fact, he caused it. He is in control.  The Lord will return; he is rolling up his sleeves for action.  The Lord’s city will rise up from its ruins and once again be established (vv. 8-10).  The announcement of God’s salvation is being proclaimed from the mountains for all to see and hear (v. 7).  The fulfillment of God’s Word is a beautiful thing.

How beautiful on the mountains

    are the feet of those who bring good news,

who proclaim peace,

    who bring good tidings,

    who proclaim salvation,

who say to Zion,

    “Your God reigns!”

Is there a part of your life that lies in ruins?  Does it seem that you are held captive by people or addiction or by past choices that continue to have dire consequences on your present?  Has God’s Word announced promises to you that you have not yet seen fulfilled?  Perhaps you are holding on to those promises but you have not yet seen them enacted in your life.  Have you run to other things, lesser than God, for comfort and solace?  These things may not be the best or even be good at all for you, but you don’t know what to do.  God’s promises are real, but you wish he would fulfill them and make them real in your life sooner rather than later.

God indeed comes to you in his Word and announces – loud and clear – Our God Reigns!  It is a beautiful thing to trust in the Lord and finally to see his Word fulfilled.

There is a song that captures the beauty of this passage.  Click here and worship the Lord even if it seems that part of your life is held in captivity.  God’s promises will be made real for you. Let this song be your prayer today.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.