Year 9, Day 45: Isaiah 61

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Psalm 61 is a continuation of the praise that began a few chapters ago.  We have familiar words in the opening lines.  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me … to bring good news to the poor … to bind up the brokenhearted … to proclaim liberty to the captives … to open the prison for those who are bound … to proclaim a year of the Lord’s favor.  Of course the words continue, but these are the most remembered.  They are words of restitution.  They are words of redemption.  They are words the set the record straight and declare and end to oppression and exile.

After all, the Lord loves justice.  He is faithful and desires an eternal covenant.  Yes, He judges when necessary.  He knows that through judgment comes purification and eventually restoration.  He knows that consequences are necessary when people aren’t self-correcting.  But His role as redeemer is everlasting, His role as judge is as needed.  He does both jobs perfectly and righteously; He mentions the redemption and restoration in terms of the eternal.  He wants relationship with us forever, choosing to judge us and give us consequences as needed in the moment.

He do we respond to this?  We should rejoice.  We should long to bask in the righteousness of the Lord.  We should desire to be clothed in His grace, love, and mercy.  We should await His righteousness and praise as it sprouts up in us.

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