Isaiah 61.

It is such a familiar chapter. We want to remember the mission we have all been called to bring to this world. We take hope in the exchange of gladness instead of mourning; praise instead of fainting; and being called “oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord.”

Yet a recent reading of the chapter, with a deliberate slowness and focus on the words, my focus stopped on a verse I had not noted before:

“All who see them will recognize them. Because they are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed.” (Isaiah 61:9b, NASB)

That one verse has been before me for days. This post has been started and stopped more times than I can count, and I still sit staring at the words.

“All who see them will recognize them.” This is more than being familiar with how we look. How will we be recognized? How will those around us identify us? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB).  We will be recognized by the fruit our lives bring forth.

“Because they are the offspring …” When we are born, we resemble one or both of our parents. As we develop and are nurtured, we may begin to think and process like them. We absorb and learn from their actions and personalities. Our parents deposit into our lives, hoping to mold and shape us into productive and godly adults.

“… whom the Lord has blessed.” As we are recognized as His children, He blesses our lives for no other reason than we are His, we belong to Him. He disciplines us as a loving Father would, guiding our lives, and revealing His purposes.

This verse tells us there is a special relationship which not only exists between God and His people, but it is recognizable. It existed between God and the Israelites, and by His grace and mercy, He bestows it upon people today.

“For you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NLT)

When others take note of our lives,
they recognize that we are different,
know that we are His, and
see His hand of blessing.

Challenging and difficult times – we tend to want to avoid them. Jerralea brings us the reminder we all need every once in a while – “Our suffering is not for nothing.” Be sure to read her encouraging post 10 Years Since Disaster Struck.

Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.

Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Recharge Wednesday .