Proper 6 (OTA)

Isaiah 63:7-14

⁷  I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, 

the praises of the Lord, 

according to all that the Lord has granted us, 

and the great goodness to the house of Israel 

that he has granted them according to his compassion, 

according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 

⁸  For he said, “Surely they are my people, 

children who will not deal falsely.” 

And he became their Savior. 

⁹  In all their affliction he was afflicted, 

and the angel of his presence saved them; 

in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; 

he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. 

¹⁰  But they rebelled 

and grieved his Holy Spirit; 

therefore he turned to be their enemy, 

and himself fought against them. 

¹¹  Then he remembered the days of old, 

of Moses and his people. 

Where is he who brought them up out of the sea 

with the shepherds of his flock? 

Where is he who put in the midst of them 

his Holy Spirit, 

¹²  who caused his glorious arm 

to go at the right hand of Moses, 

who divided the waters before them 

to make for himself an everlasting name, 

¹³  who led them through the depths? 

Like a horse in the desert, 

they did not stumble. 

¹⁴  Like livestock that go down into the valley, 

the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. 

So you led your people, 

to make for yourself a glorious name.

God once stood with his people in all things.  God stood with his people in times of trouble and pain.  God watched as his people were attacked and even killed.  But he never left their side, until now apparently.  The people have rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit of God.  God has made them his enemy. God has stood against these people.

The people have stopped listening to God, but God does not stop listening to them.  The LORD remembers his servant Moses and his people.  The LORD remembers the promises he made to Abraham and to his offspring.  Thus, the LORD will deliver his people.

People read the word of God to recall these same promises.  Moses has written down the Word of God in order to give us instruction.  Isaiah even writes here to remind us the importance of listening to God's Word.  If people turn away from God, he might turn away from them.  But hopefully you can also recall the words Moses spoke to God concerning the people of Israel and the Golden calf.  The disasters God allows happen to his people reflect upon God himself.

Often times we forget, there is pain and suffering in the world.  There are people suffering from all kinds of disasters and distress.  These all come because of our rejection of God's word.  Our disobedience of God's commands.  The wages of sin is death and these wages must be paid.

The LORD God of Israel is full of steadfast Love.  He is full of compassion and mercy.  The LORD has had pity upon the people of Israel.  The LORD has even suffered our affliction and pain.  God sent his only son to suffer the wages of our sins upon the cross.  This is the Word of the LORD.