The prophet Isaiah lived a couple of milleniums and a few centuries ago, but his word still bears reading - and more important, actually hearing - in the 21 ^st Century. "Have you not known? Have you not heard?," are the two questions he asks at the beginning of this week's scripture passage. Chances are we have known and we have heard what Isaiah wants us to known and to hear, and yet, they too often fall by the wayside. We too often live in ways that reveal a lack of trust in a sovereign, loving and gracious God. We tend to trust our own minds and things such as our own bank statements before we trust in a God who is alive, who is still at work in the world, and who only calls us to a life of faith, action and trust. 

               Isaiah clearly knew well his own particular audience. It is revealing that his words still ring true today. People are people, through the ages. And all of us would do well to put the pause button on our busy lives and hear again the comforting and encouraging words Isaiah proclaims.