Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.
Today’s Reading: Is 45:6C-8, 18, 21C-25
I am the LORD, there is no other;
I form the light, and create the darkness,
I make well-being and create woe; I, the LORD, do all these things.
Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above,
like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.
Let the earth open and salvation bud forth;
let justice also spring up! I, the LORD, have created this.
For thus says the LORD, the creator of the heavens,
who is God, the designer and maker of the earth who established it, not creating it to be a waste, but designing it be lived in: I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Reflection: It is hard for us to wrap our head around the fact that God made everything. After all, so much of what we see and use is human-made. Maybe it was easier for ancient peoples, people who lived close to the land, who saw the direct connection between nature and the food on their plate. Today’s reading, though, tells a different story.
Prophets such as Isaiah seldom proclaim a word where one isn’t needed. Notice in today’s Scripture the proclamation of God’s sovereignty. Most likely Isaiah was proclaiming this because people were thinking otherwise.
We all tend to take a little too much credit for the things around us, then as now. Advent is a great season to get things back into the right perspective.
Let us pray: Lord, help me today to step away from myself and recognize your sovereignty. Let me take moments today to look for awe. You designed a wondrous creation for me to live within. Today, help me to be alive.