Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Isaiah 61:1-2 (NLT)
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.
2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
After experiencing a setback last week, I found myself wondering “what now?” As Christians, we place our trust in God and when doors shut and things don’t go as we planned it can leave us asking, “Where are you in all of this Lord?”
It seems unfair to experience disappointment while trying to walk with Jesus in obedience. Yet if I am seeking God’s way, why do I have tantrums when things don’t go my way? Isn’t that what I want–His way instead of mine? The raw answer is that we often want both. But God’s way is always better!
God is not limited to visible circumstances. Setbacks, therefore, are all in the eye of the beholder. What I may see as unfortunate, or even devastating, is not seeing through the lens of God. God doesn’t experience “setbacks.” His plans don’t fail and He doesn’t depend on fallible people for success. Learning to pray with an eternal perspective resets my heart’s desires. “Lord I only want what you want.”
Seeking God’s will is full of navigation but also peace as we trust his sovereignty. We live in the day of the LORD’s favor. Anyone who receives Christ’s gift of salvation is no longer called an enemy of God. Our Sovereign God is for us, not against us.
In Luke 4:18-19 Jesus read aloud the very words of Isaiah 61:1-2. However, he stopped just short of the end of verse 2. As he rolled up the scroll and sat down, Jesus explained that this part of Isaiah’s prophecy had been fulfilled that very day. The end of verse 2, the day of God’s anger against their enemies awaits Christ’s return. The time of the Lord’s favor has come. In this, Jesus proclaimed that he was the one who would bring this Good News to pass.
We are all the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, and the mourners and Jesus was and is the ultimate Good News Isaiah prophesied about long ago. The day of the Lord’s favor is now. We live in a day of salvation but also relationship with our Lord. We are welcome in God’s presence and we can commune with Him any time we want! The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and we are not left to navigate life alone. What an incredible blessing of this day we live in.
The world still needs to hear this good news today and as ministers of the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6), we are all called to go and share it. We live in the day of Good News! Jesus is our eternal joy and good news for every circumstance. This day of favor gives us an eternal perspective and resets our heart to trust the One who is in charge.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I trust you. May the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord fall upon me. Jesus, help me let go of my way today. Comfort my heart when I can’t see or understand your ways. Set me free from any worry and hurt. Jesus you are the good news for this day. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Philippians 4:6-7- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.