Reassurance for God's People

A Future for God's People
Turn to Me and Be Saved

Isaiah 48:14-22 (The Message)
 ^14-16"Come everybody, gather around, listen:
   Who among the gods has delivered the news?
I, God, love this man Cyrus, and I'm using him
   to do what I want with Babylon.
I, yes I, have spoken. I've called him.
   I've brought him here. He'll be successful.
Come close, listen carefully:
   I've never kept secrets from you.
   I've always been present with you."

Your Progeny, Like Grains of Sand

 ^16-19And now, the Master, God, sends me and his Spirit
   with this Message from God,
   your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel:
"I am God, your God,
   who teaches you how to live right and well.
   I show you what to do, where to go.
If you had listened all along to what I told you,
   your life would have flowed full like a river,
   blessings rolling in like waves from the sea.
Children and grandchildren are like sand,
   your progeny like grains of sand.
There would be no end of them,
   no danger of losing touch with me."  ²⁰Get out of Babylon! Run from the Babylonians!
   Shout the news. Broadcast it.
Let the world know, the whole world.
   Tell them, "God redeemed his dear servant Jacob!"
 ²¹They weren't thirsty when he led them through the deserts.
   He made water pour out of the rock;
   he split the rock and the water gushed.
 ²²"There is no peace," says God, "for the wicked."

For Reflection
Just when the exiles thought that God's  redemption was all but lost God calls them to his fold.  Where sin abounded, God offered forgiveness.  God instructs his people to flee from captivity, and shout the good news of redemption,  What holds you captive?  Accept the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ.

Pray
that people all over the world that are held captive to contemporary idols, have the courage to accept God's redemption.  Pray for persecuted Christians.  Pray for the reconciliation of the world and the growth of the Kingdom of God.