The Greatest Story
God on Monday
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Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9.7).
Reflection
The story of Christmas is the greatest story ever told. It reminds us that God came as a tiny, vulnerable baby, yet is still with us and is coming again to set all things right.
The words in Isaiah 9 are filled with hope and promise for a state of the world that we so desperately need. We are living with so much uncertainty, insecurity, injustice, inequality, and poverty. I find myself clinging to a vision that draws out the best in humanity and pulls us toward a world filled with hope, restoration, redemption, and renewal. Isaiah gives us a beautiful image of wholeness for a fragmented world. There will be peace, justice, and righteousness forever more.
God gives us a wide-open invitation to participate in the messy but glorious work of pursuing the Kingdom of God here on earth. We can respond with small acts of kindness that address systemic injustice. Such acts bear witness to the coming Kingdom of God in the here and now.
The new world is being born again within us and around us, and through us because of this one amazing Christmas baby. May Isaiah’s vision bring you encouragement for what is to come and for what we can participate in in the here and now.
Response
As you reflect on this scripture, ask yourself:
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Where have I seen the coming Kingdom of God this past year?
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How can I love my neighbour more effectively and play a part in God's big story of renewal, redemption and restoration?
Prayer
May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.
May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.
May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world so that you are able, with God's grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.
Amen.
(Four-fold Benedictine Blessing, by Sister Ruth Marlene Fox, OSB, 1985).
Next Steps
Tearfund hosts an amazing learning hub here:
learn.tearfund.org. It has thousands of free resources, including bible studies for people all over the world who are working to end poverty and injustice.
This Week's Author
Heidi Damon, Head of Church Influencing, Tearfund.
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God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the coming Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up to Faith in Business here to receive each God on Monday instalment.
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