August 27 - Isaiah 66:12-14

August 27 – Isaiah 66:12-14

For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.

I have seen more water this summer flowing through the meadow at the cabin.  The river has overflowed more often than ever before.  Generally by late summer, the river is quite low and we see many sandbars, but this year I didn’t see a sandbar pop through the flowing water until the middle of August.

Our youth group in high school took a whitewater canoe trip and the power of the water rushing through that gorge was amazing.  It didn’t stop until it hit the lake and everywhere I looked, all I saw was water. 

There is nothing like a flowing river.  The amount of water that continually flows is something to behold. 

This is the amount of peace that the Lord offers.  Those swollen rivers, filled with water, the flooded streams are images that he uses when talking about peace. 

Much of the Mid East is a desert, but around the rivers are found lush grasslands.  Consider that imagery, too as you think about the peace of the Lord filling our hearts.  We flourish because of God’s peace.

As you read these verses, notice that this all is done to make the Lord’s name known.  He doesn’t bring us peace and cause us to rejoice to keep it all to ourselves.  He does this to make Himself known.