Monday, August 10, 2015

THE LORD SPEAKS (PART 15)



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In Christ, Mark
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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord.

“Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.

“Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.”

For this is what the Lord says:

“I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 66:7-13

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Think about how long it takes for a nation or city or community to be born. It never happens in a mere moment but rather results from many years of evolution, labor, and growing pains. In fact, one could associate the birth or a nation or city or community to the birth of a child. The idea of a nation, city, or community being formed is conceived and then, after conception, there is a lot of development that has to take part as a people go through labor to reach the moment when all their efforts pay off and result in the delivery of a nation, city, or community into being.

Don’t think I came up with that analogy for as you can see in today’s scripture passage for this 15th devotion of the 17 devotion series, The Lord Speaks, we find the Lord comparing the formation of a new Jerusalem to the birth of a child, however it would not be like any other birth ever known and the divine city created would be like none other either, particularly in the way it would bless its inhabitants. Look again at His words here:

“Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord.

“Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God.

“Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.”

For this is what the Lord says:

“I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”  Isaiah 66:7-13

When Jesus returns, the reset button is going to be pushed on the heavens and earth as we know it. They will cease to exist in the blink of an eye. Just as quick, the new heaven and earth will emerge with one holy city, the New Jerusalem where all those who placed their belief, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ will abide.

Think about the length of time the earth will have existed at that time when it perishes and how long it took to develop nations, cities, and communities during that time. It just didn’t happen overnight. And yet, when this earth is destroyed along with the heavens, the new earth and heavens and Jerusalem will emerge before any labor pains begin and deliver children to populate it, those children of course being the saved of the old earth.

Indeed as the scriptures ask, “Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this?”

Truly, we serve a Lord of amazing power and ability which will be on full display on the final judgment day of the world as we know it.

Note the blessedness that awaits Christians who will be delivered into the New Jerusalem at its advent for they will rejoice gladly and delight in their salvation promise being fulfilled and be nursed and sustained in the new Jerusalem’s overflowing abundance. Peace will flow freely to them as they experience the fullest degree of the Lord’s comfort and live without pain, suffering, hardship, affliction, heartbreak or sin for the first time in their lives.

Yes, it will be the best day ever for those who are in Christ Jesus and I pray you are counted in this number today.

The Lord speaks to us today and simply says:

“Rest easy, those of you who have placed your faith and trust in Me as Savior. I have prepared a place for you as I promised and it will be worth the wait once you get there. The best is yet to come and so stay encouraged.”

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk@aol.com

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