We all have experienced troubles in one way or another. And even though each of our stories is different, we may all have prayed the same – for God to rescue us. I constantly did, especially as a young woman living in the USA, as I lived through homelessness, isolation and harsh treatment. Later in England and overseas as a Christian worker, I went through other troubles – loneliness and five miscarriages.
Thankfully for all of us, God sees us. He answers our prayers, but he also comforts us and helps us grow strong. He enables us to move forward in life and overcome the heart consequences these troubles will cause.
In the book of Isaiah, God calls out seven double imperatives to a broken Jerusalem. She too experienced terrible times, but God didn’t leave his beloved Jerusalem there. He didn’t abandon her. Instead, his seven calls opened a way towards living in wholeness. They became like jewels in a crown on her head. And the same is true for us.
In Isaiah 61:3, God promises to ‘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 as we
stay close to him, we too can receive his crown of beauty, his comfort and restoration. For without a doubt, we too are his beloved.
Coming soon – May 19, 2023
Eva