Evening Scripture

Isaiah 61
 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.

You will feed on the wealth of nations,  and in their riches you will boast.
Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Evening Reflection

The other day, I arrived home feeling physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted.  It was one of those days when everything seemed taxing to my spirit. Simple tasks seemed harder than normal; conversations felt labored; I even got into an argument with a friend. By the time that I was done for the day, I felt as if the day had bested me.  But instead of being able to leave it all behind, I spent the evening hours thinking about everything that had happened, running through the scenarios over and over, replaying all the problems.

Have you ever done anything like that?  Have you ever spent an undue amount of time rehearsing the negative or difficult moments of your day?  Doing so rarely leads us into an evening of rest and comfort.

When we find ourselves in those times, Isaiah 61 is a gift to us. This chapter is filled with a multitude of divine promises, all centered on Jesus and the good news he brings into our lives. Although these words were written roughly 500 years before Jesus, and thus almost 2500 years before our time, these are not ancient words long past – they are declarations for what surrounds our lives today.  Jesus binds up the broken-hearted; proclaims freedom to the captives; he announces that we live in the midst of his favor. Instead of ashes, Jesus gives oil of joy; regardless of what swirls around us, we dress ourselves in praise rather than despair; we receive a grace instead of shame, and blessings instead of disgrace.  Jesus makes an everlasting covenant with us, one that clothes us with nothing less than salvation. Promise upon promise is spoken to us. Can we dare to apply these words to our lives today?

If you are ending the day feeling burdened and tired, then take a moment to rehearse these promises.  More than anything the world can throw at us, these words define your life, and in these promises you can have comfort and rest.

Evening Prayer

Precious Jesus,
Isaiah reminds me of the many blessings that you bestow upon me. These words declare, not just the salvation that sits at the core of my life, but also your unyielding mercies that come to me. As I approach my time of rest, I pray that you speak the promise that I need to hear this night. Imprint these words within me, and may your promise be the script that runs through my heart all night long.
Lord, when I am tempted to listen to other voices, inspire me to delight in your word and to rejoice in your presence. For in you there is good news of constancy and love.  And so, I place the day before you.  I empty myself of the concerns of the day past, and my worries of the day to come, so I might be filled with your comfort.

In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

Evening Scripture
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/61.html">Isaiah 61</a> &nbsp;The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,&nbsp;to proclaim the year of the&nbsp;Lord&rsquo;s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,&nbsp;and provide for those who grieve in Zion&mdash;to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins&nbsp;and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Strangers&nbsp;will shepherd your flocks;&nbsp;foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of the&nbsp;Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations, &nbsp;and in their riches you will boast. Instead of your shame&nbsp;you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
&ldquo;For I, the&nbsp;Lord, love justice;&nbsp;I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants&nbsp;will be known among the nations&nbsp;and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.&rdquo;
I delight greatly in the&nbsp;Lord;&nbsp;my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up&nbsp;and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
Evening Reflection
The other day, I arrived home feeling physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. &nbsp;It was one of those days when everything seemed taxing to my spirit. Simple tasks seemed harder than normal; conversations felt labored; I even got into an argument with a friend. By the time that I was done for the day, I felt as if the day had bested me. &nbsp;But instead of being able to leave it all behind, I spent the evening hours thinking about everything that had happened, running through the scenarios over and over, replaying all the problems.
Have you ever done anything like that? &nbsp;Have you ever spent an undue amount of time rehearsing the negative or difficult moments of your day? &nbsp;Doing so rarely leads us into an evening of rest and comfort.
When we find ourselves in those times,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/61.html">Isaiah 61</a>&nbsp;is a gift to us. This chapter is filled with a multitude of divine promises, all centered on Jesus and the good news he brings into our lives. Although these words were written roughly 500 years before Jesus, and thus almost 2500 years before our time, these are not ancient words long past &ndash; they are declarations for what surrounds our lives today. &nbsp;Jesus binds up the broken-hearted; proclaims freedom to the captives; he announces that we live in the midst of his favor. Instead of ashes, Jesus gives oil of joy; regardless of what swirls around us, we dress ourselves in praise rather than despair; we receive a grace instead of shame, and blessings instead of disgrace. &nbsp;Jesus makes an everlasting covenant with us, one that clothes us with nothing less than salvation. Promise upon promise is spoken to us. Can we dare to apply these words to our lives today?
If you are ending the day feeling burdened and tired, then take a moment to rehearse these promises. &nbsp;More than anything the world can throw at us, these words define your life, and in these promises you can have comfort and rest.
Evening Prayer
Precious Jesus, Isaiah reminds me of the many blessings that you bestow upon me. These words declare, not just the salvation that sits at the core of my life, but also your unyielding mercies that come to me. As I approach my time of rest, I pray that you speak the promise that I need to hear this night. Imprint these words within me, and may your promise be the script that runs through my heart all night long. Lord, when I am tempted to listen to other voices, inspire me to delight in your word and to rejoice in your presence. For in you there is good news of constancy and love. &nbsp;And so, I place the day before you. &nbsp;I empty myself of the concerns of the day past, and my worries of the day to come, so I might be filled with your comfort.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Want More?
If tonight&rsquo;s episode blessed you, be sure to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962">follow the show</a> so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.

Your Nightly Scripture — 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture

Resting in God’s Comfort and Good News (Isaiah 61)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/becafdf8-051b-4dc4-8b5a-b46500ed337a/transcript