Lord, King, and Savior

Read

ISAIAH 32:1-8

1 See, a king will reign in righteousness
and rulers will rule with justice.
2 Each one will be like a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm,
like streams of water in the desert
and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

3 Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will listen.
4 The fearful heart will know and understand,
and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.
5 No longer will the fool be called noble
nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
6 For fools speak folly,
their hearts are bent on evil:
They practice ungodliness
and spread error concerning the Lord;
the hungry they leave empty
and from the thirsty they withhold water.
7 Scoundrels use wicked methods,
they make up evil schemes
to destroy the poor with lies,
even when the plea of the needy is just.
8 But the noble make noble plans,
and by noble deeds they stand.

Think

How amazing parents are! They sacrifice so much for their children and are eager to provide opportunities for them. A key preoccupation of seafarers during their visits to ports around the world is to buy books, toys, and clothes to bring back for their children. Parents show love and protection in so many ways for their children, and God does the same for us.

In Isaiah 32, God shares a wonderful announcement. This comes in the midst of warnings to God’s people, who have turned away from him to rely on the power of other nations (see Isaiah 28-31). But even though the people have been unfaithful, Isaiah reminds them that God has promised a kingdom of righteousness.

Today we know that the King who “will reign in righteousness” is Jesus, and leaders who follow his ways will rule with justice. This means that everyone—young and old, men and women, parents and children—all will be able to flourish and learn and grow in peace.

God’s kingdom is a refuge from the storms and troubles of life. The Savior, Jesus, has given us new life and promises it “to the full” (John 10:10). We need not fear or dread the future. Families and communities can thrive. And our King invites us to welcome others in from the storm.

Pray

Lord, King, and Savior, you are our refuge and strength. You care for us with love and compassion. Help us to care for and love others as you have done for us. Amen.