August 30
“O you afflicted one…Behold, I will lay your stones WITH colorful gems…” (Isa 54:11 NKJV) Emphasis mine.
Have you ever seen fierce winds bellowing against the sails of a ship threatening to throw the vessel off its destined course? That’s just how my life felt during a particularly dark and stormy time—like I was caught in a raging storm, facing whipping winds at every turn with no visible end in sight. My life was being battered up one side and down the other with the above Scripture being all I had to hold on to. And, eventually, little by little, YHWH was faithful in performing this Promise.
I learned through such hard times that our Elohim tests us for His Word’s sake. (Mark 4:17) He allows us to walk through fire and water so we’ll learn FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE to trust Him to bring us out “to a rich fulfillment” without being burned or drowned. (Psa 66:12; Isa 43:2) This is why our Adonai (Lord, Master) requires us to walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death (Psa 23:4), for it’s there He teaches us how much He loves us, thoroughly purging from us any lingering fears and doubts instilled by the world.
Throughout the years this Scripture remained my life raft, rescuing me from the trials, tests and tribulations (troubles) of many dark and stormy journeys. As a result, I have come to a much deeper understanding of this Scripture than merely the surface promise that Abba-YHWH faithfully leads us through the storms of life to our own place of prosperity. I now see He never promised to EXCHANGE our stones with colorful gems, but that He lays our stones of hard times WITH THEM. This is so we’ll remember how far our Savior has brought us, using the lessons we’ve learned along the way to help others journeying through their own storm-swept valleys, in the name of Yeshua Ha’ Mashiach, Messiah Jesus of Nazareth. Amen.
"Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied: I'm about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise, lay your foundations with sapphires, construct your towers with rubies, your gates with jewels, and all your walls with precious stones. All your children will have God for their teacher—what a mentor for your children! You'll be built solid, grounded in righteousness, far from any trouble—nothing to fear! Far from terror—it won't even come close! If anyone attacks you, don't for a moment suppose that I sent them, and if any should attack, nothing will come of it. I create the blacksmith who fires up his forge and makes a weapon designed to kill. I also create the destroyer—but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar. This is what God's servants can expect. I'll see to it that everything works out for the best." God's Decree. (Isaiah 54:11-17 MSG)
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HIDDEN MANNA~Daily Bites: Laying Stones With Gems
HIDDEN MANNA~Word Designs: Adonai
Copyright 2022 by Tracie Justice