O Afflicted City

“O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you with stones of turquoise, your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.  All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.  In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear.  Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.  If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you.”

-Isaiah 54:11-15

Do you feel like that afflicted city today?  Lashed by storms left and right, but not comforted?  You are doing all you can to stand your ground for the Lord, but the storms keep coming back to back!  You feel like giving up and giving in because of the constant fight.  You are weary, worn, and distressed from the continuous battle waged against you.  You cry out incessantly to God for help, but it seems like you are getting no answer!  You wonder to yourself where God is: if he hears you, if he even sees you, if he even knows what you are going through!  You just don’t know how much more you can take!  Then you turn in the Word to a promise spoken by The Lord calling directly to you… O afflicted city!  Lashed by storms and not comforted…  I will build you with stones of turquoise, your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.  Oh how your heart swells to hear those comforting words from the Lord!  Regaining your strength…  You declare this promise.  You will not be demolished by these storms!  You will be built with precious stones!!  All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace.  Great will be you and your family’s peace because they will all be taught by the Lord!!  In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear.  Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.  The Lord will protect you in his righteousness; all terror and tyranny will be put away forever, it will not come close to you!!  If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you.  All those who try to attack you – not by the Lord’s will, but by the enemy – will surrender to you!!  O Afflicted City, lashed by storms and not comforted… You shall be comforted forever!