Guided, Nourished, and Healed: An Advent Promise
Is 30:19-21, 23-26
Scripture Passage
Thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem, no more will you weep; He will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you. The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, While from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or to the left. He will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground, And the wheat that the soil produces will be rich and abundant. On that day your flock will be given pasture and the lamb will graze in spacious meadows; The oxen and the asses that till the ground will eat silage tossed to them with shovel and pitchfork. Upon every high mountain and lofty hill there will be streams of running water. On the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall, The light of the moon will be like that of the sun and the light of the sun will be seven times greater like the light of seven days. On the day the LORD binds up the wounds of his people, he will heal the bruises left by his blows.
Grace Prayed For
The Grace of Openness to Healing: Isaiah speaks of God binding up wounds and healing bruises. This prompts us to pray for the grace to acknowledge our own brokenness and need for healing, and to be open to receiving God’s healing touch in our lives. This might involve seeking forgiveness, letting go of past hurts, or confronting unhealthy patterns of behavior.
Reflection
This passage from Isaiah, brimming with images of comfort, guidance, and abundance, offers a profound reflection for the season of Advent, reminding us of the hope and healing that await us in the coming of our Trinitarian God.
A God Who Hears Our Cries:
Isaiah begins with a comforting assurance: “No more will you weep… as soon as he hears, he will answer you.” In Advent, we often reflect on the longing and anticipation that characterized the Israelites’ waiting for the Messiah. They yearned for deliverance, for a savior who would bring peace and justice to their land. This passage reminds us that God hears our cries, our longings, our deepest desires. He is attentive to our needs, both physical and spiritual. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, let us bring our prayers and petitions before God, trusting that he hears us and will answer in his time and in his way.
Guidance and Nourishment:
The prophet paints a vivid picture of abundance and provision: bread, water, fertile fields, flourishing flocks. But beyond these physical blessings, there’s a deeper spiritual nourishment promised. “No longer will your Teacher hide himself,” Isaiah declares. In Advent, we anticipate the coming of Jesus, the ultimate Teacher, who reveals the fullness of God’s love and truth. He is the “way” who guides us through life’s uncertainties, offering wisdom and direction when we feel lost or confused. As we journey through Advent, let us open our hearts to his teachings, allowing him to nourish our souls and lead us on the path to true fulfillment.
Healing and Restoration:
The passage culminates with a powerful image of healing: “On the day the Lord binds up the wounds of his people, he will heal the bruises left by his blows.” This speaks to the deep restoration that Christ brings to our broken world. Advent is a time to acknowledge our wounds, our failings, our need for healing. It’s a time to recognize the ways in which we have strayed from God’s path and to seek his forgiveness and grace. In Jesus, we find the ultimate healer, the one who mends our broken hearts and restores our relationship with God.
The Trinity in Action:
Throughout this passage, we see glimpses of the Trinity at work. The Father, the Lord GOD, is the source of all comfort and provision. The Son, the Teacher, guides and instructs us on the way to salvation. And the Spirit, implicitly present, brings about the healing and restoration that Isaiah describes. Advent is a time to deepen our relationship with the entire Trinity, recognizing the unique roles that each person plays in our salvation.
A Light in the Darkness:
The imagery of increased light – the moon shining like the sun, the sun shining seven times brighter – speaks to the hope that Advent brings. In a world often shrouded in darkness, Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness, dispelling fear and illuminating the path to true peace and joy. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, let us be filled with hope, trusting that his light will guide us and his love will sustain us, now and forever.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Experiencing Jesus as the Healer: The prophet speaks of God binding up wounds and healing bruises. Jesus, as the embodiment of God’s love and compassion, is the ultimate healer who mends our broken hearts and restores our souls. By bringing our emotional wounds, spiritual struggles, and relational challenges to Jesus in prayer, we can experience his healing touch and grow in intimacy with him as our comforter and source of restoration.
Daily Scripture Reflection
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post