Epiphany

Thursday, January 6, 2011 Devotions: Ps 46, 96, 97, 100; Is 52:7-10; Rev 21:`22-27; Mt 12:14-21

God is my Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble. So I will not fear, though all changeable or corrupt things should be shaken or destroyed. There is a stream that gladdens God's eternal city, the holy habitation of the Most High. That place, inhabited by the Holy One, will never be shaken or changed. YHWH Sabaoth is with us, our safe Refuge for evere. Be still and know that I Am God, exalted among the nations and across the universe. Let us sing a new song to YHWH and bless His name. Let us recount His salvation every day and declare His glory among the nations. Great is our Lord, and greatly to be praised. The gods of the pagans are idols, human-made, dumb, dead and powerless. But YHWH made all that is; honor and majesty belong to Him, strength and beauty abide in Him. Let all mortals ascribe all virtues to our God; let the heavenly and spiritual beings praise Him. Let heavens be glad and earth rejoice; let seas and lands praise our God. He is coming! He is here! How awesome and winsome is our Lord! All creation lauds and reveres Him. He preserves His saints and destroys His enemies forever. Rejoice, you righteous, in the Lord and give thanks to His holy name! Raise a joyful sound and serve Him with gladness; come before Him with singing! Know that YHWH is God; He has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His flock, the sheep of His pasture! Come into His gates with thanksgiving. Enter His courts bearing praise! Thank Him and bless His holy name! YHWH is good; He steadfast love endures for ever, and His faithfulness to all generations.

How beautiful are the feet of Him Who brings good news! He publishes peace and salvation. He affirms to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' Let the watchmen shout for joy at His appearing. Break into song, you redeemed of the Lord! YHWH has shown His arm before all the nations; everyone can see the salvation of our God.

In God's holy city, there is no temple building; the Lord God and the Lamb are its temple. There is no need for sun or moon there, for God's glory is its light and the Lamb is its lamp. By this light all the nations shall walk; and creation's kings will bring their glory into this place. Its gates will never shut by day—and there is no night there. No unclean thing shall enter, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood. Only they will be admitted whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The Pharisees counseled together about how to destroy Jesus. He withdrew from Jerusalem, and many followed Him. He healed them all and told them not to make Him known, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy: 'Behold, My Servant, Whom I have chosen, my Beloved with Whom My soul is well pleased. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will neither wrangle nor cry aloud, nor will any hear His voice in the streets. He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, till He brings justice to victory; and in His name all the Gentiles will hope.' Today, Ephiphany, celebrates this affirmation and revelation of God's glory and identity in the infant Jesus.