The picture above was taken some years ago at the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo. After we spent some time at the fair, we went to the Joe Nichols concert. The next day, it was great weather … as in the Joe Nichols hit song “Sunny and 75”. The memories you make give you a lift, the weather can give you a lift, and the ultimate lift is knowing that the future is bright because of the reward God has for all that believe in His Son.

If we get our thinking going in the wrong direction, we can lose our edge for a great day. Instead, let us think of what good things are going our way, and this will build momentum so that we stay on track. Today, we are staying on track by reading Isaiah 52.

God had brought His people out of Egypt after being in bondage and more recently, Assyria had oppressed them (v. 4). At the time of today’s passage, the people were still captive in Babylon and not optimistic about becoming free, so they were not awakened. They had not forgotten the defeats of the past, not yet tapped the inner strength only God can give and had stopped looking forward to amazing victories in the future.

Isaiah the prophet was discouraged because the people would not believe that God could bring them future success. They had become complacent, accepted their situation, and were not eager to take the first step from captivity to freedom. Since they would not let God act for their benefit, He would act for them by helping them listen and see His salvation.

In current times, we also can be stuck in a mediocre existence and not totally free to be all we can be. During those times, let us ask God to act for our benefit. Let us want to work with Him to receive limitless rewards. Let us think of ideas that will give victory over the negatives that keep us captive. God will accompany us to bring us out of out of captivity just like He did with the people of Jerusalem. His Servant, Jesus helps us to see, hear, and understand the way to freedom.

This day with You God, we have good days and bad days. During the bad days, help us to focus on how the outcome is in Your hands. Help us to know that You are with us toward a joyful end. We know that You have abundant blessings for those who accept Your way of love and grace. For You work in our life through the Holy Spirit to set us free to be all we can be. Our best days are in front of us because Jesus is leading us to eternal paradise beyond what could be imagined. This day, we have a good outlook toward this day and future days ahead because of Jesus. Amen.