Isaiah 43:8-13 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 43:8-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 8Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! Verse 9Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble. Who among them declared this, and foretold to us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to justify them, and let them hear and say, "It is true." Verse 10You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. Verse 11I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. Verse 12I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses, says the Lord. Verse 13I am God, and also henceforth I am He; there is no one who can deliver from my hand; I work and who can hinder it?
Text for the Oct. 18 festival of Luke the Evangelist
Devotion
In today’s text, God challenges idol worshipers to justify the divinity and redemptive work of their gods. These worshipers have eyes and ears, yet they are not able to understand God’s ways.
But what do we have to do with idol worship, given that it is almost unthinkable in most modern societies? Not so simple! The issue is not only about carved images, but what we make of God and what replaces Christ. Today we struggle with many forces that constantly test our faith and compete for our loyalty against God’s saving grace in Jesus. As to the prophet, God calls those who have tasted the gracious redemption in Christ – who are all God’s witnesses – to testify of what they have known, believed and understood.
As witnesses, our testimony depends on how Christ is a reality in our lives and how we learn to trust him. How is it with you?
Prayer
Lord, be gracious to us when our minds are darkened and we turn to meaningless rituals. Help us to know the power of your resurrection and grant us the power to be your faithful witnesses to all around us. Amen.