Isaiah 55:1-5

Isaiah 55:1-5 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Isaiah spent a lot of time looking forward.  In the midst of challenging times, he lifted his eyes forward and imagined the future God has in store for us.  This future isn't a divided society, where wealthy elites escape the burdens faced by so many just trying to scrape by.  There will be no one sleeping in door frames and searching through the garbage for sustenance.  No, the riches of the Kingdom of God are available without price -- no money would be enough to buy the anyway!  God gives them freely, inviting us to participate in a different economy, where we eat richly and delight in what is good at the will of God.  Our souls will live in an everlasting relationship based on the selfless and endless love of God.
  So be careful when you think about saving for the future.  Don't let the world trick you into believe that the only investment you can make is monetary.  While saving is good and investing is fine, the spiritual riches God offers trump whatever monetary plans we can make.  Our future does not depend upon a bank account and our worth is not measured by the spread on the table from which we eat -- we are counted as worthy because we are counted as Christ's, and the future we hold is abundant because of the great love with which God loves us.

Isaiah 53:4-9

Isaiah 53:4-9 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  It's easy not to consider the consequences sometimes.  Let's say that you notice there is something wrong with the tire of your car, but since you're still able to drive it now, you keep going, ignoring the problem because it's not impacting you today, and maybe you could continue to drive on it for weeks, or for months, and whenever the noise gets loud enough you just turn the radio up, and the car travels on.  Let's say a warning light comes on, but the car is still running, so maybe you find a sticker to cover the warning light, because it doesn't affect you immediately.  You carry on... until one day the tire bursts on the freeway at high speed.  Then you're really in trouble and you wonder how this happened, suddenly realizing the full impact of the consequences.
  Sin works that way.  So often, we carry on without realizing the full weight of the consequences of our actions.  So much of sin doesn't have an immediate impact on us.
  But God realized the full weight of sin, and God wept at the thought of being separated for eternity from us.  So God, who is rich in mercy and love, accepted the full and painful weight of sin.  Jesus Christ, God's own Son, was pierced for our transgressions, despite having no fault of his own, and accepted the death that we deserve.  All of this was done because God loves you, and God wants you to be free of the weight of the consequences of our sin, and so God pays the price that we cannot pay. 
  Because of this, we have forgiveness and peace and mercy in Jesus Christ, and we receive what we do not deserve -- eternity, the full weight of glory, escaping the consequences of sin, all through the free gift of grace.

Isaiah 52:7-10

Isaiah 52:7-10 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  If you're like me, you're somewhat stuck in the middle of your routine, plugging along, pressing forward, every once in a while sticking your head up to see what's going on in the broader world.  (If you're like me, you see how crazy the world is and instantly retreat back into a safe little bubble.)  What happens is that over time, utilizing this approach means that we lose perspective and only see the world the way we're accustomed to seeing it, and we forget the bigger picture.
  Notice here whose feet are beautiful -- it's the messenger who comes to the people and reminds the that their God reigns.  Somehow, in the midst of everything, they've lost sight of that, and they need a messenger to come and remind them of good news, to point to the light in the midst of the darkness.
  So there's two things here for us.  The first is to remember that God reigns.  God reigns in the world and God reigns in your life.  Now, do me a favor -- take a deep breath, let it out, find a mirror, and remind yourself that Jesus Christ ascended the cross so that you would be redeemed from sin and death and spend eternity with God.  God treasures you enough to die for you.  You are worthy and beloved and beautiful.  Remember that today.
  Secondly, think of one person to whom you could bring good news.  Who can you remind that they are lovely and treasured today?  Maybe you could make their day, through an email or a handwritten card or a phone call.  Tell them they're treasured.  Remind them of good news.  They are loved.  You are loved. 
  And love wins.

Isaiah 41:8-10

Isaiah 41:8-10 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  At last count, our kids have approximately 8,000 stuffed animals.  I'm not quite sure how we arrived at the present population, but we are approaching the point at which we'll need to discuss alternative housing arrangements for a portion of the group or risk being crowded out of the house.  We finally did get Caleb to not sleep with all of them at once, due to a fear that he'd end up on the floor because there wouldn't be any room left for him in bed.
  They have a lot, but there are a select few that are always nearby.  If anything should happen to these few, heaven and earth will be moved to find them. 
  Our God has selected you from the ends of the earth.  God has pursued you, sought out a relationship with you, and awakened your heart through the power of the Holy Spirit.  You are beloved and sought out, treasured and pursued.  So do not doubt your worth.  Do not let the voice of fear convince you that you are not of infinite value.  God paid the price of Jesus Christ's life so that you might be redeemed.  God will uphold you, God will help you, God will strengthen you -- so take heart and be confidant that this week is blessed because God is with you!