In the Shadow of God’s Hand
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Isaiah 54: 10-17
10. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. 11. "O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. 12. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. 13. All your sons shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the prosperity of your sons. 14. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15. If any one stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. 16. Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; 17. no weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, says the Lord."
God deeply desires to make us into something beautiful! Not physically beautiful – but beautiful in our souls. He longs for us look in the mirror and see the precious, glowing, radiant, iridescent, holy and perfect creatures he made us to be. He formed us in His mind long before we were formed in the womb. He made a plan for us so big and so glorious we cannot even imagine it! We are born to be the person God intends. We just can’t envision ever being used in such an amazing way because we live in “the world.” And the world is full of others who have lost sight of their own greatness.
God comforts us, though, and reminds us of His ability to restore us to that perfection. We may feel tired and worn down in our efforts to live in a world that does not reward the qualities Christ exemplified. We may feel as if there is no point in taking the next step in our faith journey. We may even have stopped trusting in God’s care for us, in His ability/desire to enfold us, to shelter us in the “shadow of His hand.” Just as God reassures Isaiah, we can be reassured. He promises to take the storm-tossed, broken places in us and replace them with Himself. “Behold!” That’s always followed by good news, isn’t it!?
God is not responsible for the difficult times in our lives. He wants only peace and comfort for us. But He will certainly allow the challenges we are facing right now to prepare us for the perfect plan He made for us. He will make us into precious jewels – that’s the promise that we must remember as we labor to understand His plan; as we struggle to shut out the world and hear only Him.
Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. Death has been conquered and sin has been forgiven. God sent us Jesus as a sign of His undying and unending love. Rest a while today in the shadow of God’s hand. It will shelter you and guide you. It will protect you and follow you on your journey. Remember whose you are and your steps will be a little swifter. Look in the mirror today and see the precious jewel God made you to be.
My prayer today is that you rest a while in the shadow of God’s hand. And that you feel the comfort and protection of His presence as you go through your day.
Mary
