Wake Up!
Opening Prayer
Lord God, how great and good You are! I want the world to know of Your greatness.
Read Isaiah 52:1-12
[1] Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor, Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. [2] Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive. [3] For this is what the LORD says: “You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.” [4] For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “At first my people went down to Egypt to live; lately, Assyria has oppressed them. [5] “And now what do I have here?” declares the LORD. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock,” declares the LORD. “And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed. [6] Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I.” [7] 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!” [8] Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. [9] Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. [10] The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. [11] Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the articles of the LORD’s house. [12] But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Reflect on the prophet's words in verse 7. Soar with him!Why did God’s people need a wake-up call at this point? We know they have been feeling abandoned by God (49:14). They are confused about God’s use of a pagan king to rescue them from exile (45:1-8). They are struggling to understand what God is doing and they are losing hope. We sense a downward spiral that so easily leads to feelings of lethargy and maybe even worthlessness. What are the various ways in which God says he will act on behalf of his people? Their confidence is to be in him. The way they think about themselves is to be transformed because of their God. The call to wake up is a call to be ready and prepared for the Lord to act. Many of life’s circumstances can leave us feeling low and dejected. We can lose confidence in God and in his ability to act. It happens particularly in places where the church is in decline. But our God is a God of action. He is always on the move. Our confidence is in him and in his ability. Our heads can be raised again because we belong to this God–indeed we are part of the action!
Apply
Consider what makes you complacent or simply weary in your discipleship. Ask God to restore the joy of your salvation.
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, Your Word says that waiting on You will lead to strength. Energize and empower me for Your service.
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