May 24, 2014

Isaiah, Chapter 4 - The Branch of the Lord

It will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy

Desperation will be commonplace before God claims His kingdom. “Seven women will take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name.” This might be a metaphor (or, not) but…we get the picture. All of us will be looking to attach ourselves to somebody (or, something) that can assure our safety and well-being.
But…It will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy   Isaiah assures us that it won’t be this way for everybody. This is why, at the end of Chapter 3 we are told say to the righteous that it will go well with them.

And…who are they?
They are the ones for whom the Lord has washed away their filth and purged the violence from their lives. My understanding of scripture tells me there is only one way to receive this washing and purging…by believing in the life, death and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ…and trusting that his sacrifice is sufficient to destroy the sin that separates us from God.

I also believe God’s government, established in Israel, is a future historical fact. But, let’s not get myopic. We don’t need to go to Jerusalem to receive God’s protection. Jerusalem will come to us…in the form of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord will create a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain. Rest confidently in this promise next time you despair that the world is “going to hell in a hand basket.”

Live boldly out there today…

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