22 April 2026

The prophet,  Isaiah,  said to the exiles in Babylon. ‘Look to the rock from which you were hewn.’ (Isaiah 51;1) Be inspired by the people who have shaped your kirk, passed on the faith and borne witness to the death and resurrection of Christ.

If you want to seek the Lord, the prophet counsels the people of God to look to the rock from which they were hewn,  the quarry from which they were dug. ‘Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you.’

Although they are the ancient of days, they still have the power to inspire ‘for Abraham  was but one when I called him but I blessed him and made him many’. He bore witness to the promise which God made and fulfilled in him.

In their exilic desert, the people are counselled to remain faithful to the one who has promised something fair and beautiful – a garden in the desert.  ‘I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples.’ This is not the people of God, this is all the nations of the earth.

The exiles are invited to look at the heavens above and the earth below. ‘For the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and those who live on it will die like gnats but my salvation will be forever.’

It is a salvation for everyone. ‘For the promise is for you, for your children and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ (Acts 2;39) said Peter at the end of his very first sermon recorded in Acts. As a consequence, 3,000 were added to their number! A true preaching of the Word!

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