Isaiah presents what’s develop into a traditional Creation textual content:
Consolation, give consolation to my individuals,
says your God.
Converse to the guts of Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her that her exile is over
and her sins are forgiven…
(Isaiah 40:1-3)
We’re all in want of your consolation, Lord
– on all fronts and in so many alternative methods…
We want your consolation
in our troubled, violent world…
We want your consolation
in our heavy, grieving hearts…
We want your consolation
in our fears and our anxieties…
We want your consolation
in our doubt and our confusion…
We want your consolation
via our lonely days and nights…
We want the consolation of your promise, Lord
and luxury we will supply
to any who might have it…
We want the consolation solely you can provide,
the consolation that you simply supply
via the love and comfort
of our households, associates and neighbors…
We want your consolation, Lord,
not simply to finish our ache and issues
however much more as a technique to stay
with our burdens,
via our current circumstances,
enduring our onerous occasions
till the consolation of your peace is ours,
ultimately – forevermore…
Although our sins deserve your judgment
bless our souls with mercy’s consolation,
together with your pardon and your peace…
Assist us consolation each other,
talking tenderly and kindly
to all who search your blessing
in our arms, our phrases and deeds…
Consolation all of your individuals, Lord,
together with your therapeutic hand and contact
and restore us to your heat embrace,
your robust and saving arms…
Defend us, Lord, whereas we’re awake,
hold vigil via the evening,
that awake, we hold the watch with you
and in consolation, sleep in peace…
Amen.
Two musical choices tonight, primarily based on Isaiah’s phrases:
1) a soulful duet, organized by Quincy Jones
2) the acquainted solo from Handel’s Messiah.
Although I like each variations very a lot, this Creation the
Jones association is simply what my coronary heart wants to listen to…
A Soulful Celebration: Consolation Ye arranged by Quincy Jones
carried out by Daryl Coley & Vanessa Bell Armstrong
