#48 for Dec. 18
During the 1980s when I was still suffering the emotional trauma of those two divorces and the disastrous consequences of my wrong choices, these words were like salve to my soul: “Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widow-hood. For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. [He] will call you back,”(4-5).
One day, early in my third marriage, my thoughts of the mistakes of the past were especially painful when, all of a sudden, we saw a double rainbow! It was beautiful! It reminded me of Isaiah 54, especially: “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer. “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again,” (Isaiah 54:7-8, NIV).
I believe God was telling me through that rainbow that he had “brought me back,” had forgiven me and was no longer angry. He assured me he would restore me and build me up. He would even teach my children and give them peace; he would establish me in righteousness and keep me safe.
These words in Isaiah 54 were like salve to my soul:
In Isaiah 55, God invites us to come to the waters and drink freely. He doesn’t want us (as part of his bride) to miss out on what is ours. God wants us to drink of the River of Life and know he wants to be our sustenance.
In John 7:37-39, Jesus refers to Isaiah 55:1-2 saying he is the one who provides living water. I became increasingly thirsty for the scriptures, (like the woman at the well in John 4), so I accepted his invitation to “come to the waters.”
As I read Isaiah 55:6-11, I noticed all people are encouraged to seek the Lord. I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, and to trust that he knows what is best. I learned that the deeper, more intimate, relationship with Jesus is the abundant life which he promised in John 10:10.
Then in Isaiah 55:12-13, what precious promises! These verses are a glorious song of victory, either in this life or in heaven. “You shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;…This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign which will not be destroyed.”
I felt this joy because the Lord had restored me to that intimate relationship with himself. I felt he said to me, “You are my precious child. I love you so, my child; I will restore you now!”
I praise God continually for his restoration of relationship with me.
Judith Vanderwege
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