Today’s Reading: Isaiah 62-66

When God puts someone in leadership, it is for the good of those being led. To be a leader is to be a “watchman” — to watch for danger and protect others from potential harm. Today we call this risk management. But sometimes leaders get caught up in their own egos and make choices based on what is best for them, instead of what is best for the people or for the organization they are leading. When a watchman loses sight of the role he was meant to play, harm comes to the people he was meant to lead. This puts the country, organization, ministry, congregation or family at risk.

For the leaders of my people —
the Lord’s watchmen, his shepherds –
are blind and ignorant.
They are like silent watchdogs
that give no warning when danger comes.
They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.
Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied.
They are ignorant shepherds,
all following their own path and intent on personal gain.
“Come,” they say, “let’s get some wine and have a party.
Let’s all get drunk.
Then tomorrow we’ll do it again
and have an even bigger party!” – Isaiah 56:10-12

We serve a God who loves a repentant heart, who shows favor to those who humbly ask for forgiveness and submit to God’s leadership instead of making life a party for their own self-gain. He comes to restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts (Isaiah 57:15). He does not want a false show of repentance. He rejects those who go through the motions — who say the right words and fast for the sake of impressing God (Isaiah 58). God sees the heart and will not be manipulated.

GOD SENT HIS SON TO COME AS A REDEEMER FOR THE TRULY REPENTANT (Isaiah 59).

I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love.
I will praise the Lord for all he has done.
I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel,
which he has granted according to his mercy and love.
He said, “They are my very own people.
Surely they will not betray me again.”
And HE BECAME THEIR SAVIOR.
In all their suffering he also suffered,
and he personally rescued them.
He lifted them up and carried them
through all the years. – Isaiah 63:7-9

When you came down long ago,
you did awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations.
And oh, how the mountains quaked!
For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen
a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! – Isaiah 64:3-4

GOD SENT HIS SON TO COME AS A REDEEMER FOR THE TRULY REPENTANT (Isaiah 59).

The Lord says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.
I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.
I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’
to a nation that did not call on my name.
All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people.
But they follow their own evil paths
and their own crooked schemes…” – Isaiah 65:1-2

“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,
who tremble at my word.
But those who choose their own ways —
delighting in their detestable sins —
will not have their offerings accepted…
For when I called, they did not answer.
When I spoke, they did not listen.
They deliberately sinned before my very eyes
and chose to do what they know I despise…” – Isaiah 66:2b-4b

GOD SENT HIS SON TO COME AS A REDEEMER FOR THE TRULY REPENTANT (Isaiah 59).

Lord, we humbly come to you this morning, our Savior and our God. We bow before you with sincere and repentant hearts. Lord, we pray that you would do a work in their hearts today. We are the clay and we long for you to mold us into vessels according to your perfect will. Reveal in us any sinful intentions or prideful attitudes. We long to hear your voice and answer you obediently today. We sit in your presence and listen closely. Lord, we will speak today of your unfailing love; we will praise you for all you have done! We will rejoice in your goodness, your mercy and your love, for you called us your people when you became our Savior. Amen.