Show Notes
In this episode of Formed for Faithfulness, we reflect on Luke 21 and Isaiah 12 and the call to stand firm when faith meets hardship. Through Scripture, reflection, and prayer, we’re reminded that difficult seasons aren’t wasted—they can become moments to bear witness to Christ’s strength and goodness. With readings from Luke 21 and Isaiah 12, we’re encouraged to trust that even in suffering, God is present, sustaining His people and turning trials into opportunities for the gospel.
Nuance’s Formed for Faithfulness is a weekly liturgy to encourage all of us to be faithful to Christ in the public square. Join Case Thorp and other guests as they follow the Church calendar through the reading of Scripture, prayer, and short reflections on faith in all facets of public life.
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Episode Transcript
As the days get shorter, it’s good to remember that the light of the gospel continues to shine even in what may seem to be dark times. Welcome to Formed for Faithfulness in the 23rd week of normal time.
And now a reading from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, verses 5 to 19.
5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.
It’s been said that when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, rather than praying, ‘God, get me out of here,’ a better prayer might be, ‘God, what do you want me to get out of this?’ Easier said than done for most of us, however, especially when it comes to facing opposition for our faith. But in Luke 21, Jesus warned his disciples that they would face persecution, prison and pressure—circumstances he described not as something to be evaded or escaped from as soon as possible, but as an opportunity to testify. If anyone took these words to heart, it was surely the Apostle Paul. He entered the Christian story as one of those doing the persecuting, harassing, and hunting down members of the early church. His Damascus Road encounter with the resurrected Christ would flip the script, of course. In the years that followed, Paul found himself hated, pounded, and locked up for sharing the message he had once sought to stifle. But nowhere in the New Testament do we see him praying, ‘God, get me out of here.’
Rather, he welcomed the opportunity his imprisonment gave him to tell others about Jesus. When an earthquake opened the doors of the jail he and Silas had been thrown into in Philippi, rather than walk away, he stayed to bear witness to the good news of Christ to his fellow prisoners and jailer. It’s likely that experience came to mind later when members of the Philippian church received the letter Paul wrote to them from house arrest in Rome. Now, I want you to know, brothers and sisters, the man who would spend several years in confinement told them that what happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord. May God give us the faith and courage when we feel like we’ve been locked in in some way because of what we believe, not to see it as a closed door, but rather as one opening for the gospel, if only we will trust him.
A reading from the book of Isaiah chapter 12, verses 2 through 6.
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.”
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
Let’s pray with Outreach Canada.
God, we praise you for every blessing. You are the great Creator of heaven and earth, and all of creation bows to your name and your will. We worship you as our Father and our God. We pray according to the riches of your glory that you would strengthen your church, especially those who are facing persecution today. We pray that your Spirit would bring power and perseverance to your people as we dwell in your presence, day by day and moment by moment. We pray, Father, that being rooted in our faith and love for your Son, Jesus, that your church will be strengthened to comprehend the immeasurable love that you have demonstrated through the gift of Jesus Christ. That we would be filled with the fullness of God, the fullness that enables us to transcend human understanding and submit ourselves to your perfect will. Father, we pray for those who stand in the face of opposition today. We pray for their protection, and we also pray that their words, appearance, and actions will radiate the love of Christ to their oppressors, and that their faith will bring honor and glory to your name. We acknowledge your power and wisdom, Father, and we pray for courage and understanding in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
And finally, let us meditate on the words of Isaiah 65, verses 17 to 25.
“See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
“Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
the one who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere child;
the one who fails to reach a hundred
will be considered accursed.
They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
the work of their hands.
They will not labor in vain,
nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the Lord,
they and their descendants with them.
Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord.
