Passage:
14 He said,
“Build it up, build it up, prepare the way,
remove every obstacle from my people’s way.”
15 For the High and Exalted One,
who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this:
“I live in a high and holy place,
and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and revive the heart of the oppressed.
16 For I will not accuse you forever,
and I will not always be angry;
for then the spirit would grow weak before me,
even the breath, which I have made.
17 Because of his sinful greed I was angry,
so I struck him; I was angry and hid;
but he went on turning back to the desires of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will lead him and restore comfort
to him and his mourners,
19 creating words of praise.”
The Lord says,
“Peace, peace to the one who is far or near,
and I will heal him.
20 But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea,
for it cannot be still,
and its water churns up mire and muck.
21 There is no peace for the wicked,”
says my God. -- Isaiah 57:14-21 (CSB)
Song:
Restore Us Again by Paul Zach
Lyrics:
We longed for Egypt in the wilderness
A kingdom made of dust
Built an idol out of happiness
A paradise of rust
We lost all the meaning
Drowned out the feeling
Our hearts barely beating
Restore us again God of our salvation
Revive us again in Your unfailing love
Restore us again God of our salvation
Revive us again in Your unfailing love
We have trusted in the meaningless
And chased a life of ease
Now we wander in the shadow lands
Where comfort is our king
Holy Spirit bring us life once again
Holy Spirit lead our hearts back to You
Holy Spirit bring us life once again
Holy Spirit lead our hearts back to You
Prayer:
O Lord our God, whose compassion is the cause of our fearing and loving your name, mercifully pour your grace into our hearts, that we, casting away what displeases you, may be united to you with an honest will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-The Leonine Sacramentary
