Isaiah 42:5-7
This is what the true God says, the Lord who creates the heavens and stretches them out, who spreads out the earth and everything that it produces, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk on it. I am the Lord. I have called you in righteousness. I will hold on to your hand, and I will guard you. I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people, to be a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring the prisoners out from the dungeon, and to bring those who sit in darkness out of prison.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We get up each day and don’t give a second thought to the fact that we have air to breathe or question how the dirt came about under our feet or the water we have to drink. The earth and all that is in it you created just for us. But we were brought into this world under sin’s death sentence. We were imprisoned under sin’s curse and divided from you. The world seems like it is full of life; however, the truth is that this world is in decay because of sin. We begin our dying process from the time of our conception. David wrote in sin did my mother conceive me. Elsewhere we hear how the earth groans with anticipation of judgment day because of sin.
But you gave us life through your righteousness; Luther explains it this way: you restored us to your approval by Jesus’ death, and it is delivered to us through faith. It is through faith that you have called each of us. The fact that you, our almighty God, would look at this earth and select me holding on to my hand. For me to be taken out of this world restored to your goodwill is without words. You brought this world life through your Son’s life and death on the cross; he delivered us to life.
When the world comes after us with all its evil ways, we have this comfort you hold our hand and guard us. Jesus was that covenant you established for your people; he defeated sin, death, and the devil when he went to the cross. He has restored the sight of those walking in the blindness of sin. Those locked in sin’s prisons, he released them from their shackles. We are no longer in sin’s bondage because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. Through the faith you have given us, we have received your light in the darkness of our sins. Lord, send your Spirit to be with us that we may also be part of the new covenant and follow Jesus’ example. Please give us opportunities to share the gospel message with those who are still in sin’s prison; so we might bring them the light of the gospel. Send your Spirit to restore their sight through Jesus’ work that they see you clearly. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
God not only created the world, but he also established salvation’s plan to be restored to him.