Isaiah 32: 1-17 has been very much in my mind lately, especially as I encounter people in our parish who are struggling with difficult issues in their life as well as personally feeling a little overwhelmed with the wars that are raging in the middle east and between Russia and Ukraine. The prophet tells us that our God will reign in righteousness who will be “Like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, the streams of water in a dry place”. Such wonderful imagery of a God who will preserve and protect us, providing the things we need to sustain us. We are told that the Spirit will be poured upon us so that justice will dwell in the wilderness and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The effect of righteousness will be peace and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever”.
These words tell us that our God is a God that can help us to be still, and that when we are seeking what is to be done to address injustice, we can see a different way of approaching it, that the shelter that is provided is about healing and restoration. That there are places where we can find healing and peace in the face of storms. That we don’t always need to be fighting, but can find places of calm.
We are shown that when we allow the Spirit to work and flow in and through our lives, we will find new growth. Growth that brings with it new righteousness and fruitfulness that gives us hope for a broken world to be healed and restored.
So, I invite you to a vigil on Saturday 23rd November between 2 and 4pm to pray for peace in the middle east and out world.
