This was an interesting passage, wasn’t it? Sometimes I feel like God is speaking right at me from the pages of the Bible. Today was not one of those days, but it could be that for you. What I did sense was that no matter where we come from, what we’ve experienced in the past, what skeletons may be lurking in our closets, God can make us new. He will bless his children.
We also are witness to a great promise. “Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth, so now I swear that I will never again be angry and punish you.” God may get angry with us, but we’ll not be punished. We have a shield of protection around us. We have Jesus.
When I thought of the greatness of that promise, and how God has ensured that through Jesus, I was nearly on my knees. This passage suddenly became real to me in this moment.
When I read these words, “O storm-battered city, troubled and desolate! I will rebuild you with precious jewels and make your foundations from lapis lazuli,” I had no idea what lapis lazuli was. Nor did I see myself as a storm-battered city. According to Wikipedia, lapis lazuli is “a deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color.” If I imagine myself as broken, and I’ve been down plenty of times in my life, then if God can bless a “city”, may I be that city that God rebuild me with precious gems.
What a blessing! We will live in peace. “You will be secure under a government that is just and fair. Your enemies will stay far away. You will live in peace, and terror will not come near.” As you look around the world, where is government found to be just and fair. Truly. We tend to focus excessively on what is happening with the government that rules us. For us U.S. citizens living in Mexico I feel we are in jurisdiction of two governments. No matter what country you live in, feeling secure is a definite blessing.
Here’s a song that came to me while reading this passage. “Whom Shall I Fear: The God of Angel Armies” by Chris Tomlin. Let those lyrics flow over you during your quiet time today.
Let’s pray … Thank you, Lord, for going before me. I trust you are already ahead of me preparing the way for the life you want for me. Help me be obedient to you and help me find my way. I know that I am safe in your presence, and I am clinging to your promises. Thank you, O Faithful One! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
