Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
In this chapter the prophet rejoices in the assurance of God's salvation. There are descriptions of the way he empowers and nourishes his people, in vivid poetical language. He will make them like a 'threshing board' (verse 15) – studded on one side with sharp stones or iron spikes, and used to separate the grain from the straw. God's people will thresh mountains: their enemies will be blown away like chaff. Harvesting was thirsty work. God would quench their thirst (verse 17); in a hot and dry land, he will 'turn the desert into pools of water and the dry land into flowing springs' (verse 18).
At one level this is a rapturous expression of trust in God's future. But there's a context to it, as well. Verse 2 speaks of a 'conqueror from the east'; verse 25 says, 'I will bring him to attack from the north.' The person who fits this description is King Cyrus, who would conquer the Babylonians and bring the end of the exile, allowing the Jews to return home at last.
So God's saving actions aren't abstract, poetical flights of fancy. They are rooted in real events and real people. When we read passages like this, as well as being lifted up by the beauty of the language, we should earth them in our own experience too. How is God helping us today? Whom has he chosen to help us? Where are the refreshing streams he's given us in a thirsty land?
God, help me to see you at work in my daily life. Thank you for blessing me through other people, and help me to give glory to you for what you give to me.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society’s Editor
Read the Bible 
Processing...