The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favour has come,
(Isaiah 61:1-2 NLT)
All debts erased. Everything owed was wiped away. A return to right relations. A restoration of whatever was lost. A celebration of righteousness ruling. The year of the Lord’s favour is thrilling.
For those who mourn, this would be a great reason to rejoice, as the events that would lead them to mourn would be radically transformed because of the Lord’s favour.
For those who are broken, sick, wounded and depressed, this would be a reason to rejoice as their misfortunes are eradicated because of the Lord’s favour.
For those who are marginalised, oppressed, forgotten, abused, scorned and neglected, this would be reason to rejoice as their issues would be judged fairly and their renewal and restoration made complete because of the Lord’s favour.
For those who are strangers and aliens to the promises of God and far from a covenant relationship, this would be reason to rejoice as they are brought near and enemies are turned to members of the family because of the Lord’s favour.
For those who are helpless, hopeless and harassed, this would be reason to rejoice as the Shepherd of the sheep leads to green pastures for restoration of the soul because of the Lord’s favour.
It’s worth reflecting on the marvel and magnitude of the Lord’s favour. It’s worth reflecting on this reality in our own lives as His children through the gospel of Jesus Christ. And as we reflect on this, consider how we can join Jesus and many others in declaring this and demonstrating its reality. This is part of the service we offer as ambassadors of Christ by His indwelling Spirit that sends us.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
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