Thursday, August 14, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Isaiah 58:9–14

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.” If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. If you refrain from trampling the Sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on my holy day; if you call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, serving your own interests or pursuing your own affairs; then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride upon the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Jacob, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (NRSVUE) 

Reflection

Reading this Isaiah scripture reminds me of a quote by Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” This is true even 2,700-plus years past Isaiah. God is patient as we humans still struggle to get it right.

If I understand it correctly, the scripture offers two themes involving worship. First, the Lord said that God will answer human cries for help if we do away with the “yoke of oppression.” This sounds like what we call social justice today, that is, doing away with all systemic oppression, caring for others (especially the marginalized), ensuring freedom and rights for all people, feeding the hungry all over the world, clothing those in need, caring for strangers, and helping to shelter and protect. Again, this feels like déjà vu as it is a recurring theme in the Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, and we are still struggling with this today.

Second, God is requesting humans to slow down and truly worship on the day God has set aside for rest, the Sabbath. The scripture says, “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day … then you will find your joy in the Lord.” After Sunday service, often, I am ready to go and do as I please, my feet moving to please me and mine. At times, my language goes from “Amen” to “Where’s brunch?” Now, I’m not saying brunch is bad, but it is good to remember that true observance of the Sabbath involves honoring God by aligning our thoughts and activities with God’s will, remembering this is God’s Day.

Prayer

Holy God, you have assured us of wonderful blessings if we adhere to the principles of Isaiah 58. May I follow the path and ways of Christ Jesus in caring for my neighbors, and may your Spirit dwell with me, helping me keep the Sabbath holy. Amen.

Written by Ken Gaines, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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