May 19

Isaiah 49
In the last ten days I have received 20 calls for help with electric bill, water bill, gas bill, rent payment or gasoline. It tells me that there is a lot of need out there, a lot of poverty. Now the typical middle class reaction is, “They must be doing something wrong to be in the position that they are in.” Granted, according to middle class values, most of those have made some kind of poor decision(s) that started a chain of events that landed them in that position. But there is a place for mercy, and in a time of need, people are sometimes open to hearing the truth. That is one of the reasons that the poor are blessed. They are open to deliverance.
That is the glory of Jesus as seen in this chapter of Isaiah. He is a deliverer. He is coming to bring relief to His people. Isaiah describes Him as having a sword in His mouth (sounds like John’s revelation). If there is a sword in His mouth, I don’t want to be His enemy. He comes with the strength of His Father. He will be a light to the Gentiles. His salvation shall go to the ends of the earth. Because of His faithfulness, Kings and leaders of the earth will bow down to Him. He shall deliver men from darkness, hunger and thirst. When He comes, He will deliver us permanently from not being able to pay the water bill, electric bill or grocery bill. We will thirst no more, bask in His light and eat at His table. We will no longer need to assist the poor for Jesus will be all that we need. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john