Isaiah 50:4-9a (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 50:4-9a on biblegateway.com
Verse 4The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens- wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. Verse 5The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. Verse 6I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. Verse 7The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; Verse 8he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. Verse 9It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.
Devotion
I sat beside Bishop Akyoo in his office at the Meru Diocese in Tanzania. His diocese is very poor and many of his people live on less than $1 each day. AIDS is on the rise and children are orphaned. Wood is gathered daily for cooking, but deforestation threatens the land. The corn crop failed from drought, so famine will soon follow. The water is unsafe. There is no money for school fees, so children are not educated. Tanzania is a poor country, yet this bishop is a kindly man who lives in the hope of God’s help. He sustains his people with God’s Word. He listens and speaks as God’s disciple.
God awakens us each morning; God awakens our ears, opening them to hear God’s word of grace, a sustaining word when life seems bleak and hopeless. The Lord God helps; God does not forget God’s own.
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you that I have awakened to a new day. Awaken my ear to listen as your disciple. Awaken my ear to hear your voice. Grant me hope and help today, for I am weary. Put upon my tongue that word that will sustain the weary. Remember Bishop Akyoo and the people of his diocese. Put within me a passion to help your children through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.