1 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion – to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many
generations.

8 For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

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When this world is in despair, what does God do? He sends Himself in human form into this broken world to bring good news and to rebuild us.

So much has been happening in our world. We have had extreme weather conditions causing innumerable suffering, loss of homes and death. There has been war causing casualties on innocent people including children.

Today’s scripture says that in times like these, God comforts those who mourn. He builds up the ancient ruins and raises up the former devastations. The Lord loves justice and hates robbery and wrongdoing.

Verse 11 tells us that God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations.

During this Advent season, let us thank God for the hope that we have Christ Jesus during times of despair.