Focus

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

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Read

April 5
Isaiah 43:8-15 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes,
who are deaf, yet have ears!
Let all the nations gather together,
and let the peoples assemble.
Who among them declared this,
and foretold to us the former things?

Let them bring their witnesses to justify them,
and let them hear and say, “It is true.”
You are my witnesses, says the Lord,
and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor shall there be any after me.

I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior.
I declared and saved and proclaimed
when there was no strange god among you;
and you are my witnesses, says the Lord.
I am God, and also henceforth I am He;
there is no one who can deliver from my hand;
I work and who can hinder it?

Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
For your sake, I will send to Babylon
and break down all the bars,
and the shouting of the Chaldeans will be turned to lamentation.
I am the Lord, your Holy One,
the Creator of Israel, your King.

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Reflect

In this passage idols and idol worshippers are called to come before God. They are to come and bring testimony about their idols. Can their idols do what God has done and will do? They have carved ears, and carved eyes, but they cannot perceive what is happening, and neither can those who created the idols.

God warned the Israelites that they would be taken into bondage. Did any of the idols warn the Israelites? God has also proclaimed and can deliver the Israelites from bondage. God “declared, saved, and proclaimed.” Is there any power in the idols? No, there is no power in the idols or those who made them. Instead, God will save the Israelites, and they will become witness to the power of the true and only God.

We are witness of the power of God. God has delivered us, and we are now called to witness to and proclaim the power of God. May God give us words to accomplish this!

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Pray

Help us O God, to be witness in our homes, churches, and communities. Give us words and power to proclaim Your love and power for all people.

Go with God!