Comforting
I’m sure we all like to feel comfortable, safe, protected. Often life feels anything but…
Isaiah 66:10-14
10 If you love Jerusalem,
celebrate and shout!
If you were in sorrow
because of the city,
you can now be glad.
11 She will nurse and comfort you,
just like your own mother,
until you are satisfied.
You will fully enjoy
her wonderful glory.
12 The Lord has promised:
“I will flood Jerusalem
with the wealth of nations
and make the city prosper.
Zion will nurse you at her breast,
carry you in her arms,
and hold you in her lap.
13 I will comfort you there
like a mother
comforting her child.”
14 When you see this happen,
you will celebrate;
your strength will return
faster than grass can sprout.
Then everyone will know
that the Lord is present
with his servants,
but he is angry
with his enemies.
This passage seems hard to work out in the current political situation in Jerusalem and Israel, but what it does point us to is the loving arms of God – reaching out to comfort his people. A parent gently holding their child, nursing and carrying. A promise, a hope, however things seem where we are today. It is in a similar vein to
Matthew 23:37Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Your people have killed the prophets and have stoned the messengers who were sent to you. I have often wanted to gather your people, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you wouldn’t let me.
Words also spoken to Jerusalem.
God longs to reach out and comfort. Will we let him? Will we let him have his way that comfort may come to all his people?
Thank you Lord,
that you long to bring hope and comfort.
Forgive me the things I do to fight against it,
the things I put in the way,
my actions that stop your comfort reaching others.
Lord,
may your kingdom,
your glory,
your comfort
and your peace
come
Pam's Perambulation 