Isaiah 63:11–64:1

^11–14Then they remembered the old days,

the days of Moses, God’s servant:

“Where is he who brought the shepherds of his flock

up and out of the sea?

And what happened to the One who set

his Holy Spirit within them?

Who linked his arm with Moses’ right arm,

divided the waters before them,

Making him famous ever after,

and led them through the muddy abyss

as surefooted as horses on hard, level ground?

Like a herd of cattle led to pasture,

the Spirit of God gave them rest.”

^14–19That’s how you led your people!

That’s how you became so famous!

Look down from heaven, look at us!

Look out the window of your holy and magnificent house!

Whatever happened to your passion,

your famous mighty acts,

Your heartfelt pity, your compassion?

Why are you holding back?

You are our Father.

Abraham and Israel are long dead.

They wouldn’t know us from Adam.

But you’re our living Father,

our Redeemer, famous from eternity!

Why, God, did you make us wander from your ways?

Why did you make us cold and stubborn

so that we no longer worshiped you in awe?

Turn back for the sake of your servants.

You own us! We belong to you!

For a while your holy people had it good,

but now our enemies have wrecked your holy place.

For a long time now, you’ve paid no attention to us.

It’s like you never knew us.

Can We Be Saved?

^1–764Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and descend,

make the mountains shudder at your presence—