Living in the Spirit
November 7, 2016

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25

For I am about to create new heavens
   and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
   or come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice for ever
   in what I am creating;
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,
   and its people as a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
   and delight in my people;
no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it,
   or the cry of distress. –Isaiah 65:17-19

Having never moved into a brand-new home, I do not know what it feels like to have all things new. Even if I purchase a just-built home, I will plan to move all my old possessions into it. Here in tornado alley many transition to new homes with all new possessions because they lost everything in a storm. The people of Israel knew this reality all too well. Even in exile, they only possessed what they could carry. Unless amnesia clears the mind or memories, there are no new starts without some scares.

In democracies, elections often promise new outcomes, which are sometimes greeted with great support where the winner takes all with a clear mandate for a change. More often the mandate may spring from only a few votes defining the voting majority that does not include many in the population impacted. We live in just such a time.

Isaiah knew when speaking to a broken and desolate people, people dealing with past failures and missed opportunities that a new vision was needed. The Israelites lost their sense of God’s possibilities. Before they could move forward, they needed prophetic sight on which to focus their energy. This new vision was, however, as old as God and is still with us today.

Prayer: God of Hope open the window of your heart showing us a glimpse of your future for us as we enter a new phase in a continuing search for the Common Good. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.