Daily Devotional: God’s Good News

Hey fabulous friends! Welcome back! Today, we're diving into the daily devotional, sharing a quick uplifting thought to brighten your day. If you have a moment, take a look at Isaiah 61 in your preferred Bible translation and then return here.

If you're short on time, read the passage below and notice what stands out to you:

"The Lord God’s spirit is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me.

He has sent me

to bring good news to the poor,

to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim release for captives,

and liberation for prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour

and a day of vindication for our God,

to comfort all who mourn,"

When we discuss the concept of justice in Scripture, Isaiah 61 is a key example. This passage is not just a call to justice; it’s also significant because Jesus reads it in the synagogue in Luke 4 to announce the beginning of his ministry.

By reading this passage, Jesus is declaring, “I am here to fulfil this promise. This isn’t about replacing the Hebrew Scriptures but about returning to their core message—justice.”

If we consider the Bible as a list of principles, it’s not about rules on what to consume or who to avoid. It’s about advocating for the poor, freeing the captives, and celebrating the year of Jubilee, which was about debt forgiveness.

Imagine what your life would look like if these were your guiding principles. What would change if our churches took these principles seriously? How might things shift?

Reflection Questions:
How would your faith change if you believed that Scripture’s trajectory is towards justice?
In what ways are you contributing to justice in your community?
How is your church, friend group, or community engaged in justice work?

Practical Exercises:
Find a way today to bring good news to someone who is financially struggling.
Take action to support someone who is imprisoned.
Look for an opportunity to assist in erasing someone’s debt.

That concludes today’s devotional! I hope this message has brought some positivity to your day. If you found it meaningful, please consider sharing it with others. Thank you for joining us today, and remember to embrace and celebrate your unique self! Stay healthy and maintain a hopeful attitude until we meet again!

Footnotes:

Source: Kearns, S., & Murphy, B. (2020). "Queers the Word" - (Adapted for reflection of Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King). Scripture: Isaiah 61

Image Title: "The Good News of Deliverance" Source: Midjourney’s image generation model.

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