September 12, 2021 -- The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Pastor Caleb Rothfuss

Isaiah 35:4-7

This reading depicts our spiritual needs in physical terms. Physical weakness and trouble mirror the absolute need in which we were born. Troubles, fears, weaknesses of every sort are often God’s rich blessings; for they drive us to despair of our own strength and understanding and to be more ready to receive from his Word ears that hear and eyes that see.

4Tell those who have a fearful heart: Be strong. Do not be afraid. Look! Your God will come with vengeance. With God’s own retribution, he will come and save you. 5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unplugged. 6The crippled will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy. Waters will flow in the wilderness, and streams in the wasteland. 7The burning sand will become a pool, and in the thirsty ground there will be springs of water.