Isaiah is one of my favorite books of the Bible. So much truth about God. So much honesty about the fallibility of man. So many promises that strengthen faith. Consider this:
God has built rhythms into our lives.
The cold ice-death of winter is followed by the buds of spring. The heat of a Texas summer relents into the pleasant sunny breezes of autumn.
After a storm, comes the rebuilding.
After the pain, even if the pain has been that of the Heavenly surgeon’s careful scalpel, making loving yet still painful cuts in our lives… after the pain, comes the healing.
In a human economy, anything painful is cut off. Pushed away. Quarantined. Even killed. But in God’s economy, He takes what is painful and brings new life.
Our God turns mourning to dancing.
Even if we are still in mourning, we can rest, knowing that dancing– DANCING– is coming.
He turns ashes to beauty.
Even if we are carefully sifting through the ashes, looking for anything we can salvage from the fire, our heart can find solace in His certain-coming BEAUTY.
When we can’t even find the words to describe our heartache, the purity and dependability of His promises shine bright and give vision in that dark place. I don’t know where you are, but I am clinging to the One named “Faithful and True.” His promises comfort the heart, even in our greatest pain. His Emmanuel closeness, walking with us through the fire, gives surprising joy in the hardest places.
Whether you are now in the glow of a warm and delightful time, or through tears, sifting through the ashes, I pray this for you:
As you walk, may you be given a glimpse of the “new things” He is doing in your life. May this bring joy in the certain-coming redemptive beauty from our God, who makes all things new.
Very true and well said. When we catch a glimpse of the new things God has for us, it is very refreshing.
Thank you! Beautifully written.
Jess, I can’t tell you how many times God has used you to speak into a specific situation I’m going through in His perfect timing!! You are a blessing to many!!
Praise God! Thank you for sharing that with me!