What a Word!!

I received this devotional in my inbox this morning. It is written by a woman in our church. I absolutely LOVE this message. Lord, rebuild me and remake me I pray! Enjoy God's word to you, receive it, and be encouraged!

A New You
Written by Carolyn Quehl

On a recent day the Lord drew me to Isaiah 54. New words commanded my attention even though I had many verses underlined from previous thoughts or teachings.

“O afflicted city (nation, church, family, one) lashed by storms and not comforted,
I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise,
your foundations, with sapphires.
I will make your battlements of rubies,
your gates of sparkling jewels,
And all your walls of precious stones.” vs. 11, 12.

As we recognize our brokenness and cry out to the One who saves, He will rebuild us. Our foundations as a nation, society and the church are crumbling; the victim of frontal assault, but One who is greater will rebuild us. In response to honest, strategic prayer we join the Father in what He is doing and the gates of Hell can not prevail against it.

I relish the picture the words paint- our new walls forged in an array of colorful, precious stones. Our foundations are not of drab, grey concrete but of turquoise and sapphires. Sapphires have a high place in scripture; they represent fidelity and appear as the second foundation level of the wall in heavenly Jerusalem. We are being rebuilt with battlements of rubies; rubies represent royalty engaged in war to defend its land and people. The gates of sparkling jewels, (each gate a single pearl, Rev. 19:21) stand for virtue and our potential future.

Let us declare His truth, that we are being rebuilt and that we are being established in righteousness (vs. 14). If anyone does attack us, it will not be God’s doing; and whoever attacks will surrender to us (vs. 15). We proclaim that “no weapon forged against us will prevail. . . This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. . .” (vs. 17).

I praise You Lord that You are the Rebuilder! Rebuild me! Let me see what You are doing and let me join You in it!