Claimed, gathered and sent

This is the sermon I am preaching at St. Timothy Lutheran Church's Drive-In Service. The text is Isaiah 55:10-13 The 6 th century BC prophet Isaiah, speaks to his people as a fellow exile. They are far from their home country of Judea, including Jerusalem and its environs. Some remember life there, while others only know life in Babylon. Jerusalem had been destroyed and few remained there. Babylon’s religion, language, and culture were different. They were aliens; there due to rebellion and disobedience to God. However, now this exile has done its work and it is time for the fulfillment of God’s promises. They will return to the land of their origin. God’s word has gone forth. We cannot depend upon much in life, least of all the weather. As we hear so often, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes and it will change.” Weather, however, is more dependable in the Holy Land. There’s the rainy season when it can also snow and the dry season. Even if dark clouds gath...

This is the reflection on Sunday's first lesson that was sent to the people of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. What are your thoughts? Isaiah 55:10-13 The Message 10-11 Just as rain and snow descend from the skies     and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom,   producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth     not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do,     they’ll complete the assignment I gave them. 12-13  “So you’ll go out in joy,     you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. The mountains and hills will lead the parade,     bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession,     exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias,    ...