Focus

As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.

Read

Isaiah 25:6-10a (NRSV)

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the LORD has spoken.
It will be said on that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the LORD for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Reflect

Our scripture today is about the coming kingdom, after death and evil have been defeated. How often do we think about this? The busyness of life consumes us—jobs, church, family, leisure. When do we have time to think about the afterlife?

We know a day is coming when we will transported from this life. God has promised a new heaven and new earth, a mountain where God stands and provides our needs, wipes away our tears, takes away our guilt. We will say, “We waited with much anticipation for this day, now we see God face to face.” There will be much joy as we rejoice in the finality of salvation. Glory be to God!

So let us keep our eyes on the prize. We must keep the faith. We must run the distance with the strength God gives, and we will not grow weary. We will soar like eagles, and we will gain everlasting life! Praise be to the God of our salvation!

Pray

Thank you, God, for your love toward us. Though we are undeserving, you still love us and you have given us Jesus as the way for us to meet you in that great day! AMEN and AMEN.

Go with God.