Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Judgment and Hope
Judgment and Hope
(Isaiah 66)
This is what the Lord says: Heaven is my throne
and earth my footstool — what more do I need?
Where is the house you will build for me and where my resting place?
My hands made all these things without a seed.
This is the one whom I esteem: He’s meek, contrite in spirit,
and trembles at my word with humble heart.
The rituals you offer without the due respect
are abominations of the vilest sort.
Hear the word of God, you faithful who tremble at his word,
ignore your brothers who exclude and taunt.
Because you serve me, suffer long this ignorant abuse.
Their hurtful words will soon come back to haunt.
They will be put to shame, will be repaid in kind;
the Lord will punish their unrighteous deeds.
And to the faithful remnant he will give eternal life,
his holy treasure trove will fill their needs.
Isaiah gives a prophecy, the coming of the Christ,
in words that he could not then understand:
Before the pains of labor come, she gives birth to a son,
made possible by God’s own righteous hand.
Who has heard or seen such things except through faith in him?
Can a nation be brought forth in just a day?
Zion gives birth to her children at the onset of her labor,
and the law of Christ gives us the living way.
Three-thousand souls became the church, the new Jerusalem,
on the day of Pentecost, as prophesied.
A remnant of the Jews believed, then followed his example,
and in his blood God’s wrath was satisfied.
Rejoice with new Jerusalem, you who have mourned for her;
nurse at her breasts, drink deeply of her truth.
Delight in her abundance that overflows to others,
as a mother comforts all, both babes and youth.
Your spiritual lives will prosper, a flooding stream of wealth.
Peace like a river floods your banks with joy,
a peace above the understanding of the human mind,
beyond the strength of Satan to destroy.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
(Isaiah 66)
This is what the Lord says: Heaven is my throne
and earth my footstool — what more do I need?
Where is the house you will build for me and where my resting place?
My hands made all these things without a seed.
This is the one whom I esteem: He’s meek, contrite in spirit,
and trembles at my word with humble heart.
The rituals you offer without the due respect
are abominations of the vilest sort.
Hear the word of God, you faithful who tremble at his word,
ignore your brothers who exclude and taunt.
Because you serve me, suffer long this ignorant abuse.
Their hurtful words will soon come back to haunt.
They will be put to shame, will be repaid in kind;
the Lord will punish their unrighteous deeds.
And to the faithful remnant he will give eternal life,
his holy treasure trove will fill their needs.
Isaiah gives a prophecy, the coming of the Christ,
in words that he could not then understand:
Before the pains of labor come, she gives birth to a son,
made possible by God’s own righteous hand.
Who has heard or seen such things except through faith in him?
Can a nation be brought forth in just a day?
Zion gives birth to her children at the onset of her labor,
and the law of Christ gives us the living way.
Three-thousand souls became the church, the new Jerusalem,
on the day of Pentecost, as prophesied.
A remnant of the Jews believed, then followed his example,
and in his blood God’s wrath was satisfied.
Rejoice with new Jerusalem, you who have mourned for her;
nurse at her breasts, drink deeply of her truth.
Delight in her abundance that overflows to others,
as a mother comforts all, both babes and youth.
Your spiritual lives will prosper, a flooding stream of wealth.
Peace like a river floods your banks with joy,
a peace above the understanding of the human mind,
beyond the strength of Satan to destroy.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
