Advent Words Day 7 ~ Voice

 

Day 7: Voice

"You who bring good news to Zion,

    go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good news to Jerusalem,

    lift up your voice with a shout,

lift it up, do not be afraid;

    say to the towns of Judah,

    “Here is your God!”

See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,

    and he rules with a mighty arm.

See, his reward is with him,

    and his recompense accompanies him.

He tends his flock like a shepherd:

    He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

    he gently leads those that have young."

Isaiah 40:9-11

“How beautiful on the mountains

    are the feet of those who bring good news,

who proclaim peace,

    who bring good tidings,

    who proclaim salvation,

who say to Zion,

    “Your God reigns!”

"Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;

    together they shout for joy.

When the Lord returns to Zion,

    they will see it with their own eyes.

Burst into songs of joy together,

    you ruins of Jerusalem,

for the Lord has comforted his people,

    he has redeemed Jerusalem."

Isaiah 52:7-9*

Amidst the many voices crying out for our attention during the Christmas season, Advent is a time to slow down and hear the voice of God through the Scriptures and the hymns and carols of the season. Voices that proclaim the coming of the Messiah, that proclaim that God is with us!

God used Isaiah to be His voice to proclaim that He is the one who brings comfort to His people. Isaiah brought the good news of a future comforter who would be a mighty king (40:10), who would bring a reward for His people (40:10), and who would also be gentle like a shepherd (40:11). One who would bring peace, good news and salvation (52:7).

Isaiah's voice rang out: Behold, our God! Here is your God! God is with us!

 

He proclaimed of a time when with shouts of joy (52:8) the people would see the Lord "with their own eyes" (52:8). He called for God's people to sing songs of joy "for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem" (52:9). Isaiah's voice still calls out to us today. He calls us to shout and sing songs of joy that our Savior has come! The One whose strength and power comes wrapped in gentleness is here! 

 

We find God’s promises given through Isaiah fulfilled in the Incarnation. In Luke’s gospel an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds proclaiming:

“The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10-14

 

We too are called by God to lift our voices, to proclaim: Here is your God! The Savior is born! Behold, our God is with us!

 

*My apologies, the verse reference's on today's calendar should have included Isaiah 52:7.

Share you responses on Instagram using #adventwords2020 or in the Words Art & Faith Challenge group on Facebook.