Comfort for the Tempest Tossed
1. God has a special place in His heart for the victims of divorce. God said that He hates divorce. (Malachi 2:16) But He never said, "I hate those who have been divorced." In fact the reverse is true. He has a special place in His heart for all who have been oppressed.
2. Hear now the words of your God...
For your Maker is your husband. The Lord of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. For the Lord has called you Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit; Like a youthful wife when you were refused," Says your God. Isaiah 54:5-6
For the mountains shall depart, And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed. Isaiah 54:10
O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold I will lay your stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, Your gates of crystal, And all your walls of precious stones.
All your children shall be taught of the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness shall you be established;
You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. Behold, I have created the blacksmith, Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy, No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment; You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me." Says the Lord. Isaiah 54:11-17
3. The text of Isaiah chapter 54 says what it says, and does not need much comment except for this: When the Lord says He will lay your foundations with sapphire, He is talking about the ministry of His Holy Spirit. For His throne is sapphire, and the foundation of His throne is sapphire. (See Exodus 24:10 and Ezekiel 1:26) And He told the people of Israel to "give" a blue (sapphire) thread to the tassels tied on the corners of their garments. That blue thread came to be know as the "servant" thread, symbolic of the Holy Spirit. God will lay your foundations with the ministry of His Holy Spirit. In righteousness shall you be established! God will make everything right. That is His justice and mercy towards you. Your children will be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. No weapon formed against you can prosper!
note: Actually, the promises of Isaiah 54 are not just for those who have been afflicted, tempest tossed and oppressed, but for all believers. For this is the heritage of the (bond) servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me, Says the Lord. (see the lesson "Becoming a bond slave of God") Those who have been victims need to see these verses and know that they do not have to be victims anymore. God loves them with His whole heart.