Scripture

But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognise that I am the one who speaks to them.

Observation

It is time for Jerusalem to remove the chains of slavery from her neck. She is to rise from the dust to the place of honour.

The Lord sold the people into exile with with no price, and now He will redeem them at no cost.

The Lord’s people live in foreign lands where His name is blasphemed all day long. But He will reveal his name to His people. Then they will recognise that He is the one who speaks to them.

Now it is time to leave captivity. They will not leave in a hurry, fleeing From disaster. They will have time to purify themselves, because the Lord is going ahead of them.

Application

The Lord wants us to know His name, His power, and His voice.

When we know the name of the Lord, we recognise who He is. There are seven Covenant names in the Old Testament which speak of His nature. In the New Testament we have the greatest name of all – Jesus our saviour.

When we draw near to God through Christ, we start to see a glimpse of His power. He has given all authority to us. We have His power and His authority, exercised in prayer and led by the Holy Spirit. The gifts and fruit of the Spirit give us the grace to be like Jesus in power and in character.

Jesus tells us “My sheep know my voice.” We must dedicate ourselves to listening to the voice of the Lord. This is not easy in a culture that is so noisy and insistent. We need to tune out the distractions so we can tune into the voice of the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, please teach me so that I can know your name, your power, and your voice. Amen.

Scripture

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

Observation

Those seeking the deliverance of the Lord need to return to the rock from which they were cut. Abraham and Sarah were role models for Israel.

God’s law, mercy, and justice will be a light to all the nations. Even distant lands are waiting in hope for the Lord’s intervention.

People are like flies, and the sky will disappear, but God’s salvation lasts for ever.

The Lord’s redeemed will return to Jerusalem with singing and joy. Sorrow and morning will disappear.

The captives will be released. Those who have drunk the cup of the Lord’s fury will have that cup removed, and it will be handed to their tormentors.

Application

We are the ransomed of the Lord. He has bought our salvation through the death of Jesus on the cross. We are redeemed and set free from the power of sin.

Satan has lost his authority over us. It has been snatched away. Yet he tries to control us with his lies and deception.

Those who know the Lord know joy. The mark of the true believer is joy. Unlike happiness, which depends on external events, joy bubbles up from our hearts because of our peace with God.

We can sing in times of victory and in times of suffering. Jesus is the joy giver.

In this life we still have sorrow and mourning. But they no longer define who we are. In the midst of it all, joy remains dominant. In the end, we will be one with Christ forever. Sorrow and mourning will be no more.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the knowledge of your presence right now. Thank you for the hope that I have in you that sorrow and mourning will be gone forever. Amen