Caribbean Moravian Devotions

Tuesday, April 14

My righteousness is near, my salvation has gone forth, and my arms will judge the peoples. Isaiah 51:5 NASB

Isaiah speaks here of deliverance for God’s people.  Though they had suffered hardship, God, in his righteousness and his justice, would change their circumstances.  The verse is worded this way in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible: “I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples; the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope.”  This surely sounds like good news!

Amidst our circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, where sickness and death plague the world; where this sickness and death not only threaten our region and our nation, but have begun to infiltrate us; where we grapple with the restrictions of ‘social distancing’ and ‘lockdown’ – a verse like the foregoing is certainly good news.  It tells us that there is hope, and directs us to the source of that hope.  It says to us, ‘Do not despair, help is on the way.’  In fact, my friend, help is already here.  That is the essence of Easter: Christ has conquered all!  And now his children can live in victory!  Victory is yours because he lives!  He died and rose, therefore his salvation has gone forth.  He rules – he reigns.  He ultimately is in control, therefore we know in whom we can put our trust.  As the Psalmist declared: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Ps.20:7)

My friend, your deliverance is near, for your help is here!  God reigns supreme and Christ has taken the keys of death and hell.  He is your Hope, so have faith in him.  Do not fear nor despair.  Paul reminds: “ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.” (2 Cor.4:8-10)  Thanks be to God – we have the Victory! Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Victorious Lord, we thank you for overcoming on our behalf; for the salvation you procured and the deliverance you offer.  Help us to see that our Hope is in you.  Amidst the challenges of COVID-19, then, show us your hand of comfort and endurance.  Lead us to put our trust in you, confident that you are here, and your deliverance is near.  Thank you, Jesus.   Amen.