Isaiah 62:1-5

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch.” vs. 1

Once the Babylonian refugees started straggling back to Jerusalem the prophet brimmed with optimism about the future. He proclaimed confidently that God would vindicate Jerusalem and restore her to greatness. While things didn’t turn out exactly as the prophet expected, he was actually just doing his job. People need to hear that there is hope for the future and that better days are coming. There’s little need for pessimistic leaders among the people of God. In fact we all like to hear words of promise for the future–it’s what keeps us going. The prophet even uses marriage as a metaphor in this passage. No young couple madly in love imagines anything but a bright tomorrow for themselves–their love will not dissipate but grow stronger with the passing years. And maybe there will even be children to bring added joy to their days. So it must be among those who are in Christ! There is no reason to give in to the pessimism of political disappointments. God is bigger than all that negativity and in fact has a glorious future in mind for us all. And for us this is more than optimism! Our faith is built on the resurrection, the cornerstone of our convictions for the life that lies ahead. God is and will be forever!

Thought for the Day: Why is it hard for me to be positive about the future?