Isaiah 63:7  I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord And the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.

Maybe it’s just because I am getting older, but it seems that more and more people are more and more focused on all the things that are bad in the world. The media certainly aids in this but it’s common enough without them! There’s just no shortage of people who have become very good in seeing the cloud in front of every silver lining!

Isaiah was writing at a time of great turmoil in Judah and Israel. The nation had been split into two parts for a few hundred years with no reconciliation in sight. The Assyrians had come and destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel and were actively threatening the southern kingdom of Judah. Judah’s kings were less than stellar even bringing foreign idols into the temple! There was trouble and turmoil everywhere it seemed.

Yet Isaiah takes a moment to mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord. He changes his focus momentarily to zoom in on all the good things that have come their way due to the mercies and love of God. Could he have found some things to be sad, mad, or worried about? Absolutely! Those things would always be available.

Are there problems in the world today? In America? In our state, town, home? Well, yes. But that’s always been true. Look for flaws and you’ll find them. But what if, like Isaiah, we were to take a moment every day and mention the loving kindnesses of the Lord? Do you suppose our viewpoint might change?

It’s worth a shot.

Blessings,

Pastor Russ