December 28 - Jacob Hohn
Isaiah 63:7-9
I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
because of all that the Lord has done for us
and the great favor to the house of Israel
that he has shown them according to his mercy,
according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
For he said, “Surely they are my people,
children who will not act deceitfully,”
and he became their savior
in all their distress.
It was no messenger or angel
but his presence that saved them;
in his love and pity it was he who redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Today’s verses in Isaiah talk of the goodness of the Lord as well as the prophecy of what was to come with Jesus Christ. It is refreshing to be reminded of the greatness of God and all He has done, and will do, for us. Through the day-to-day business of our lives, I will occasionally remind myself of the sheer grandness of God, thinking about how cool and awesome it is that He favors us, acts as our savior, and calls us His children.
Verse 7 is what I believe the word “worship” to mean, in a sense. It is a verse of praise, honor, and appreciation of all the “praiseworthy acts” the Lord has done, including his favor, mercy, and love. Verse 8 reaffirms God’s commitment to being our savior, calling us His children. Does it not refresh your heart and mind to hear that in this busy time? Verse 9 reminds us that it is God, and God only, that redeems us. I also find it interesting that it mentions God’s “pity” on us. While it makes sense that God would have pity on us for our human shortcomings, I cannot say I ever expected it. Regardless, we are loved and cared for under the redemption of God. I hope all of you have had a wonderful Christmas season!