Wednesday Scripture: Isaiah 51
The Year of the Lord
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The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim 2020 as the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day for God to settle the score,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve--
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
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It may be hard to believe that 2020 is the year of the Lord,
but the year Isaiah wrote this was a tough year too.
God doesn't promise us easy times.
(I know. I've looked. It's just not there.)
God does promise triumphant times.
Liberating times.
Times of freedom and victory.
That doesn't come in easy times
It will never come in our power.
But we know the One with all power.
And maybe--just maybe--we can believe 2020 is God's year.
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Lord, let your spirit be upon me,
and let 2020 be your year.