2026 Pentecost Devotions III
Tuesday, October 6
Isaiah 25:6-9
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
7 And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the covering that is spread over all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
9 It will be said on that day,
“See, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
“… 8 he will swallow up death forever. …”
I have used this text from Isaiah to provide consolation to many families following a death. For those who are grieving, it offers words of comfort and hope. Reminding them that the Lord will one day swallow up death forever brings peace – a peace given through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, for some, especially those who have no belief system, even Isaiah’s words offer little comfort or hope. Instead, their grief goes deep into their souls. Because there is no faith, they have no reason for hope, no expectation of a life beyond this one. Their sorrow becomes their companion. The ravages of death just linger on.
I’ve sat with those families – where the pain of death is palpable. In such cases, I can only remind them of Isaiah’s words of comfort – that death will be swallowed up forever. Sometimes it helps – knowing that someday death will not longer prey on humanity. Most of the time, unfortunately, it is received with blank stares, unknowing minds, and unhealed hearts.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the prophet’s words that bring comfort, consolation, hope, and peace amidst times of grief and sorrow. You are the source of new life even for those who cannot believe. Amen.