These verses of Isaiah’s talk of God’s anger at Jerusalem, for its arrogance.

“You store water by building a reservoir to hold the water flowing down from the old pool… but you did not looks to its Maker, nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.”

And there is much that sounds again like our times: “You arrogant men… You boast that you have made a treaty with death and … you are certain that disaster will spare you when it comes, because you depend on lies and deceit.”

But God also talks about how one day all will be well again: “Here on Mount Zion the Lord Almighty will prepare a banquet for all the nations of the world, a banquet of the finest wine and richest food. Here he will suddenly remove the cloud of sorrow that has been hanging over all hte nations. The Sovereign Lord will destroy death forever.”

Dear Father God, Sovereign Lord, We look forward to this day, when You send Jesus back to us and prepare a feast on Mount Zion for all the peoples. Please help us to work together for that day, to bring the good news to people that You love them and that You have beaten death. Please show us what we are meant to do and say to be faithful servants, to keep our lamps burning, until that day. In Jesus’ name, Amen