Last Sunday of the Church Year: Old Testament, Isaiah 51:4-6               

Isaiah 51:4-6

There are always people that we gravitate towards. And many times that decision is made based on what they say. And perhaps their delivery colors the choice we make as well. In our reading from Isaiah for this, the final Sunday of the church year it is both. Isaiah speaks of hope. And there is a force to it. When God makes a full-throated proclamation or when God whispers, there is a force to it. So here the words and delivery feed off one another. God announces His law for judgment and His gospel for salvation. And this comes to us in the larger context of God caring for His people, cf. Isaiah 51:1-3.

We step into Advent next week when preparation of the heart for the coming of the Savior moves into full swing. But even in these few days before that season is upon us, perhaps it would serve us well to think on just what all this means-before the carols, Chrismon's, and the special gatherings of the saints. God is for us. In a few more days the emphasis will begin to be on the fact that God is with us. In both truths there is the love of God for His people. The unquenchable, fiery love of God. Read this short passage with quietness of heart. You will hear the Lord’s voice. I promise.