“ON EAGLE’S WINGS”

Date: February 5, 2006

Rev. Fran L. Thiessen

Meditation: “The Lord heals the brokenhearted.” Psalm 147:3

Scripture: Isaiah 40: 21-31

Mark 1: 29-39.

Sermon Notes for Reflection

This reflection is inspired by Isaiah 40.

Have you not heard? Have you not known?

On June 19, 1865, the Union army finally reached Galveston, Texas. In Texas they found some African-Americans still in slavery. The Union army informed these African-Americans that they were no longer slaves. This date was 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in the rebelling states. For some reason, in Texas it was business as usual as the slaves were still doing the work that they always did. But now the word of freedom came through the Union army. This word came in such a way that it could not be ignored. Those who were formerly in bondage shouted, danced, and praised God. They said that God had delivered them and they were right. This celebration was such an important celebration that even today African-Americans still celebrate in a festival called Juneteenth.

Have you not heard? Have you not known?

In our text we see Israel in Babylonian bondage. Here they were slaves. Just like those African-American slaves, some may have wanted to give up hope. This is why in the very beginning of the chapter we read this morning God told the prophet to “Comfort My People.” Comfort my people.

The prophet comforts the people by bringing the word of freedom. The prophet was saying, “I know it looks dire, Israel. I know the road is rough today, but you know it’s not going to be like this forever.”

How do you know? We know because we worship the creator God, who can bring princes to naught (v. 23) and rulers to nothing.

How do you know? We know because Yahweh is everlasting and he does not faint or grow weary. Israel, says the prophet, you already heard the word of freedom, just believe that word.

Have we not heard? Have we not known?

Many of us today are living our lives as if God has not spoken. We think that we have to be in bondage to a past of hurts.

We think that we have to be in bondage to people who have done us wrong:

the bondage of anger, unforgiveness, righteousness, vengeance, fear, and self- centeredness.

Just as the confederacy fell and just as Israel came out of captivity, so will you.

______________________

Poem in Children’s Sermon

Love

by Shel Silverstein

Ricky was "L" but he's home with the flu,
Lizzie, our "O," had some homework to do,
Mitchell, "E," prob'ly got lost on the way,
So I'm all of love that could make it today.

Have you not heard? Have you not known?
Just like the slaves, we have others trying to keep our aspirations of a better way of living down.

Just like the slaves, we have the confederates of others seeking to keep us in bondage.

Just like Israel, we are tempted to forget that God is on our side.

“Comfort my people,” God counseled Isaiah.

Here it is us who are called to strengthen ourselves by trusting that freedom will come because the same God who saved others will save us.

Juneteenth is coming because God has spoken.

Isaiah comforts, “God will not grow tired or faint. God gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. We will regain our strength, and will soar on the wings of eagles.”

The pastor encourages you to meditate during the week on these passages.

She welcomes your insights on the Scriptures and comments on the sermon that was preached.

The pastor, Rev. Fran Thiessen, will gladly welcome comments or questions related to her sermon. She can be reached at the Church Office. Thanks.