A City No Longer Deserted

Like a Potter with a lump of clay, God has traced and refined and spun. He has taught me the value of cracks and scars. He has defined my purpose. He has spread light into me and salted me rich.

He’s not done. How glorious! He is still changing and molding and redefining. 

But some desert moments have ended. Some tender whispers have been spoken. Valleys of Trouble are being transformed into doors of hope.

I open the Scripture and see the words again and they wash my soul deep in that Hope.

“They will be called the Holy People,” God says, “the Redeemed of the Lord.”
His voice rings brilliant, “And you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted.” Isaiah 62:12

A Desirable Place.
A Place Where God’s Presence Reigns.
A Place Where God is Glorified.

I’m beginning to see the fingerprints of God, touching and easing the clay into forms of value.

He’s there when I speak words that I never formed. When broken relationships leave me silent in their wounding fury. He speaks through my lips and I shiver at the truths that come forth that I never knew. I am stilled at His grace for the wounded.

He’s there when I stand before the girl whose neck still bears the bruises of abuse, and gives me words and strength and comfort for the pain that I have no idea how to handle.  I am quieted by His love for the hurting.

He walks me through my moments of sorrow. When life is filled with the bitterness of sin-filled hearts and I’m crying over my desperate pain. I’m hushed by His compassion for me.

And He’s there when I walk through fields of wildflowers, trembling in hope for what-might-someday-be.

I am in awe of the way He transforms lives in a moment. The way He uses my broken feeble attempts. The way He gives me peace when I’m assailed with doubts. I am stunned at the light that splinters the darkness of the desert and pools living water at my feet.

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:11 & 12

The City No Longer Deserted.
Where broken walls are repaired.
Where dwelling places are restored.

Are you walking through the deserted city? Staring at broken down walls, the empty streets? Are you longing for the taste of Living Water?

He changes not.
God is who He is.

He says, “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourself in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:9 & 10

And the Valley of Trouble that traces your steps will become a Door of Hope.

Today, I taste hope.
I pray you will as well.