197. Friday after Second Sunday after Easter.
Isaiah 40, 9-11. O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
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God wants us to lift up our voice and cry out to the world: “Behold your God!” He wants this done, in order that people may wake up and give heed to that which the Lord does. For their sleep is heavy; Satan has hypnotized the souls. But the word of God is mighty to wake them up. Lift up thy voice, thou messenger in Zion; thou servant of the Lord, get thyself up on the heights, and shout to them that dwell on the earth. Fear not; for thou bringest good tidings, better than the message of Jonah to Nineveh. Thou art to announce the victory of the stronger over the strong, and the salvation of the souls by his mighty arm. Jesus has overcome the devil; and behold, here he is with the prize which his victory has secured; that is to say, with life and salvation for us lost sinners. Awake, ye people, and behold him. He has triumphed over death and hell, and now goes onward to extend his kingdom over all the earth. Awake; and you shall find him already at work in your heart on life’s great miracle, your regeneration and sanctification. — He provides with great care for them that belong to him; heals and leads and carries them with the love of the faithful shepherd. The weak and timid lambs he gathers with his arm, and carries in his bosom. Do you hear this, you poor sinner? Your place is in the arm and bosom of the Lord, at the heart of Jesus; there is your place, not under the feet of the devil. — They that serve under Jesus in the church, feeding and caring for his lambs, may count on his special guidance; for it is declared in express words that he “shall gently lead those that are with young.” He provides a glorious heritage for them that are his own, using his great might, in the service of his eternal love, for their salvation. Their names are written in his hands with the nails by which he was fastened to the cross. O, how zealous he is for their salvation! Lift up your voice with strength, and let the good tidings be heard in all the world! Fear not, and be not ashamed; but be partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.
Lord Jesus, make thy witnesses fearless and zealous, and give them strength to lift up the voice unto the cities of Judah, that they who sleep may be awakened, and that the faithful may be strengthened. We thank thee, our divine Shepherd, for thy love toward us unworthy sinners; and we know that thou wilt, according to thy promise, protect and keep us. Blessed be thy name. Amen.
Let the world despise and leave me;
They have left my Savior, too;
Human hearts and looks deceive me —
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
Man may trouble and distress me,
’Twill but drive me to thy breast;
Life with trials sore may press me,
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.