Day 17

Day 17
Monday, December 14

“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert.”

Isaiah 35:5-6

Reflection
These ancient words from the prophet Isaiah unveiled the current deliverance of Israel and the future coming of the Messiah. It is the story of redemption. Sickness is healed, dark becomes light, evil is conquered by good. Nearly three thousand years later, it is the story we still long for — we seek redemption in our daily lives and in our life to come. Is this what the author of Ecclesiastes was referring to when he wrote, “[God] has also placed eternity in their hearts” (3:11)? No matter our background or situation, in our hearts we seek fullness of life. We even see this story exhibited in Hollywood every time we watch a movie where good triumphs over evil and in the end the day is saved. We want to see “happily ever after” because God created us to desire redemption. Just as Isaiah proclaimed to his people that salvation would come now and soon be fully realized, we have the same assurance that redemption can be ours today and one day perfected forever.

Prayer
God, we ask that we would be streams in the desert, the light of the world, the salt of the earth. Redeem us now, for your glory and our joy, until that day that you redeem us forever. Amen.


Reflection by Dan Rataj