THE LORD WHO OPENS A WAY

Thus says the LORD, who opens a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, who leads
out chariots and horsemen, and powerful army, till they lie prostrate together, never to rise, snuffed out and quenched like a wick.

Remember not the event of the past, the things of long ago consider
not; see, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not
perceive it?

In the desert I make a way, in the wasteland, river. Wild beasts honor
me, jackals and ostriches, for I put water in the desert and rivers in the
wasteland for my chosen people to drink, the people whom I formed
for myself, that they might announce my praise.  Isa. 43:16-21
Readings

I KNEW THEIR PLOT

I knew their plot because the Lord informed me;
at that time you, O Lord, showed me their doings.
Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter,
had not realized that they were hatching plots against me:
"Let us cut him off from the land of the living,
so that his name will be spoken no more."
But, you, O Lord of host, O just Judge,
searcher of mind and heart.
Let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause! Jer. 11:18-20

REMEMBER YOUR COVENANT

The Lord said to Moses, "Go down once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them;
cast for themselves an image a calf, and worshiped it, sacrificed to it, saying, "These are gods, O Israel, who brought you out from the land of Egypt.......
Ex. 32:7-14

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GOD'S TIME OF FAVOUR

Thus says the Lord: 'In a time of favour I have answered you, on
a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you
as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the
desolate heritages; saying to the prisoner, "Come out", to those
who are in darkness "Show yourselves." They shall feed along
the ways, on the bare heights be their pasture; not hunger or
thirst, neither scorching....

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LIFE GIVING WATER

Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there,
water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple
towards the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was
flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the
temple, south of the altar. R

Then he brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and the water was coming out on the south side. Going on eastward with a cord in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and then led me through the water; and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was knee-deep. Again he measured one thousand, and led me through the water; and it was up to the waist.

Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. He said to me, “Mortal, have you seen this?” Then he led me back along the bank of river.  Readings

NO MORE

For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered
of come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress, No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed.

The shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.  Isa. 65:17-21

Readings

Psalm 142

IT IS LOVE THAT I DESIRE

"Come, let us return to the Lord, it is he who has rent, but he will heal us; he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds. He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to his presence. Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord; as certain as the dawn is his coming, and his judgement shines forth like the light of the day! He will come to us like rain, like spring rain that waters the earth."

What can I do with you, Ephraim? What ca I do with you Judah? Your piety is like a morning cloud, like the dew that early passes away. For this reason I smote them through the prophets,

I slew them by the words of my mouth; for it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Readings

Psalm 51