The Festival of the Poor and the Stranger

Christ has come and fulfilled the law – the festivals no longer need to be followed or obeyed. Yet they still speak of the importance of remembering and giving honour and saying thank you. Not only remembering and honouring God and thanking him for all he has done. But remembering the most lowly in addition to remembering the Most High – the poor – and bearing in mind the ones often most estranged and alienated, the immigrants to our country and our neighborhood.

His Kingdom Lived Out

This Psalm is written with a prophetic edge to it. The psalmist is reflecting on a kingdom whose rule reflects the rule and love of God.

He talks about the prosperity of the righteous, help for the poor and harvest fields that are thriving. It is a land where justice is an everyday affair.

The Lord himself in Matthew 6:9-13 gives to us the Lord’s Prayer.

Judgment or Compassion

There’s nothing pretty about war, defeat and captivity. And that is precisely what is being described in today’s reading. Isaiah is prophesying the LORD’s judgment on the southern Kingdom of Judah.

With stunning accuracy Isaiah’s words were fulfilled.

Read More judgment, compassion, attitude, the poor

Utterly Dependable

How reassuring the words of Isaiah 14 must have been to the nation of Israel! They were surrounded by powerful enemies who flourished. They’ve heard the proclamation of punishment against those enemies. And now Isaiah shares God’s promises to them, that he will have mercy on them and they will remain his chosen people.

“A Soul that’s Turned Its Back On Love”

Read Reflect Every year, millions of women, men and children around the world are victims of human trafficking, mostly bought and sold as commodities into prostitution and forced labour. This exploitative trade criss-crosses the planet and is a very lucrative business. The International Labour Office estimates that human trafficking generates $150 billion in illegal profits […]